(VOVworld) – Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko met with US President Barack Obama Thursday in the US.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko addresses a joint session of Congress on Sept. 18 in Washington.(Photo: Saul Loeb, AFP/Getty Images)

A White House statement following the meeting said the US will provide an aid package worth 53 million USD to Ukraine but will not fulfill Poroshenko’s urgent request for weapons. 46 million USD will be used to buy military equipment for Ukrainian security and border guard forces. This equipment will include mine detectors, body armors, binoculars, patrol boats, and counter-mortar radar to detect incoming artillery fire.

Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Obama reiterated his commitment to supporting Ukraine in economy, security, and negotiations with Russia. Obama expressed his belief that Ukraine wants good relations with all its neighbors including Russia.

Poroshenko said his top priority is to settle the crisis in Ukraine peacefully, adding that the truce which has been maintained over the past 12 days will continue until a real peace can be achieved in eastern Ukraine.