President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko has held a meeting with a bipartisan delegation of the U.S. Congress, during which the parties discussed the strengthening of investment, trade and economic cooperation between the countries, assistance in strengthening Ukraine's defense capability and sanctions against the Russian Federation.

"Poroshenko expressed hope the U.S. House of Representatives will support the recent legislative initiative of the U.S. Senate, which, in particular, provides for the strengthening and expansion of sanctions against Russia," the press service of the Ukrainian president said.

In this context, the parties also discussed the issues of strengthening Ukraine's defense capability, including the appropriate funding for the security aid to our state in the U.S. budget, as well as strengthening investment and trade-economic cooperation.

Poroshenko notified the congressmen about the situation in Donbas and the continuation of permanent violations of the ceasefire regime on the part of militants controlled by the Russian side.

"In this regard, the parties noted the need to preserve and strengthen international sanctions against the Russian Federation until the full implementation of the Minsk agreements by the country, as well as the restoration of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, including Crimea," the report reads.

The United States, in turn, highly appreciated the results of the Ukrainian president's visit to Washington on June 20-21 this year.