Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko has said that Kyiv will not allow natural gas supplies to be used as a means of pressuring his country.

At a meeting with Norwegian Foreign Minister Borge Brende in Kyiv, Poroshenko discussed broader cooperation between the two countries, according to a statement released by the press office of the Ukrainian head of state.

"We have started a new form of reverse supplies, and we will no longer let gas supplies to be used as a means of pressuring Ukraine," Poroshenko said.

He praised the role of Norway and Statoil in the diversification of energy supplies to Ukraine last winter.

"The president thanked Norway for helping Ukraine during the difficult times and welcomed today's signing of an agreement to provide a government aid worth 100 million Norwegian krone," the press office said

Over the past year Norway has substantially increased support for Ukraine and is ready to provide help further, Brende said. The Norwegian foreign minister saw the launch of reforms in the Ukrainian judiciary, public administration and anti-corruption efforts. "This sends a powerful signal to Norwegian investors," Brende said, according to Poroshenko's press office.

"Poroshenko testified to the Ukrainian leaders' intention to continue the reform process despite Russian aggression in the country's east. The head of state noted that the Ukrainian reform program was highly praised by the IMF (International Monetary Fund) and European partners," the press office said.

The Ukrainian president raised the issue of defense-industrial cooperation with Norway. "Petro Poroshenko thanked Norway for taking part in NATO's Trust Fund and sending military advisors and instructors. Petro Poroshenko also expressed his gratefulness for Norway's participation in the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) monitoring mission in Donbas," the press office said.