U.S., Ukraine discuss energy security 

WASHINGTON – The United States and Ukraine held its fifth annual Energy Security Dialogue chaired by the U.S. Department of State’s Special Envoy for International Energy Affairs Amos Hochstein and Ukraine’s Energy Minister Volodymyr Demchyshyn on July 14, in Washington. The dialogue covered wide-ranging and in-depth discussions regarding Ukraine’s energy sector. The U.S. delegation included Department of Energy Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Jonathan Elkind and U.S. Agency for International Development Deputy Assistant Administrator Jonathan Katz. The Ukrainian delegation included Naftohaz CEO Andriy Kobolyev and Energoatom President Yuriy Nedashkovsky. The United States and Ukrainian representatives discussed Ukraine’s progress in energy sector reforms, as well as the critical need to ensure security of supply through the diversification of sources and routes of natural gas. They also discussed U.S. assistance to Ukraine’s energy sector, domestic gas and electricity production, and investment climate. U.S. officials applauded Ukraine’s energy sector reforms to date and committed to working with Ukraine and international partners to further strengthen reform efforts and Ukraine’s energy security. (U.S. Department of State)