Zelensky and Pelosi discussed defense supplies, financial support, anti-Russian sanctions

KYIV. May 4 (Interfax-Ukraine) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has described his recent talks with Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi as substantive, adding that they discussed defense supplies to Ukraine under the Lend-Lease Program, macro-financial support and sanctions against Russia.

"Speaker of the House of Representatives of the U.S. Congress Nancy Pelosi, who visited Kyiv along with a Congress delegation, and I discussed key issues concerning assistance to our state," Zelensky said in a video address on Sunday evening.

Pelosi and he "had four hours of very substantive talks, which dealt, among other issues, with defense supplies, macro-financial assistance, sanctions policy, and political cooperation with the U.S.," Zelensky said.

Meanwhile, Zelensky's press secretary Serhiy Nikiforov told national TV on Sunday that defense and financial support for Ukraine, the blockade of Ukraine's Black Sea ports and the food crisis threat continue to dominate the agenda of Zelensky's contacts with foreign leaders.

"The list of topics is the same. There is a pressing issue, i.e. the blockade of our ports in the Black Sea. There is the threat of a food crisis in certain regions of different countries, because Ukraine supplies agricultural products to a large number of markets. But such a threat exists today, as logistics and supply chains have been disrupted," Nikiforov said.

Other key topics include financial support for the Ukrainian economy, anti-Russian sanctions and defense support, he said.

"These or those issues move to the forefront with some of the leaders, but stay in the background with others. It depends on the country and each specific situation," he said.