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May 15, 2019

His Excellency Petro Poroshenko
President of Ukraine

Mariyinsky Palace

5A, Mykhaila Hrushevskoho St.
Kyiv, Ukraine 01008

Dear President Poroshenko:

We thank you for your service to Ukraine as President. We congratulate Ukrainian
government institutions and the Ukrainian people for successfully conducting the recent
presidential election, which by all accounts were free and fair, and demonstrated Ukraine?s
commitment to freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. Your leadership in ensuring the
integrity of the election, especially during this historic period in Ukrainian history, has been
particularly important. As you know, we both value the United States? partnership with Ukraine
and the friendship between the people of our two nations.

We hope that you will now work closely with President?elect Zelensky to
ensure a smooth transition into his new role. In the United States, we have a proud tradition
whereby previous Presidents offer advice and counsel to the newly?elected President, regardless
of party affiliation. With your counsel, we are hopeful that President-elect Zelensky can continue
advancing Ukrainian democracy, integrating with European institutions, and defending the
country against Russian aggression.

As this transition of power occurs, we also encourage your administration not to take any
rushed actions regarding state?owned enterprises or other measures that would tie the hands of
the incoming Zelensky administration. As you know, the US. Congress has particular concerns
regarding Ukraine?s energy sector, and we hOpe your administration will avoid actions that
would impact Ukraine?s gas supply as it pertains to upcoming gas contract negotiations with
Russia. In addition, we are also concerned about the appointment of 75 new judicial nominees at
the tail end of the administration and the signal that sends to Ukrainians.

We also would like to share our concerns about reports suggesting that Ukraine?s current

prosecutor general, in collaboration with President Trump?s personal attorney, may have
attempted to in?uence U.S. domestic political matters. Any such activities risk severely

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His Excellency Petro Poroshenko
May 15, 2019
Page Two

jeopardizing support for Ukraine in Congress. We sincerely hope that the US. Ukraine
relationship can remain free of politically charged allegations and remain focused on
strengthening the mutually beneficial partnership.

Thank you for your contributions to Ukraine and Europe, and for your friendship to the
United States. We in Congress have always deeply valued the friendship between Ukraine and
the United States, and we will continue to support the strong relationship between our respective

 

 

 

countries.
Sincerely,

STENY H. HOYER ELIOT L. ENGEL
House Majority Leader Chairman

House Foreign Affairs Committee