Biden: U.S. Supports Ukraine's New Government

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden has telephoned Ukraine's Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk to welcome the formation of a new government and pledge U.S. support as Ukraine undertakes reforms aimed at restoring the country's economic health.

A White House statement said Biden emphasized that this is an important opportunity not only to bring peace and stability to Ukraine, but also to restore Ukrainians' faith in their democratic institutions ahead of elections set for May.


Biden said the United States will offer its full support as Ukraine pursues reconciliation, upholds its international obligations, and seeks open and constructive relationships with all its neighbors.

On Thursday Ukraine's parliament approved Mr. Yatsenyuk, a popular opposition leader, as the head of the new interim government, and Mr. Yatsenyuk accused the previous government -- that of ousted President Viktor Yanukovych -- of stealing billions from the state treasury.

Mr. Yatsenyuk said $70 billion in Ukrainian government money had been sent to offshore accounts over the last three years, and that $37 billion of credit it received has disappeared, leaving Ukraine with severe financial problems.

Yatsenyuk is a pro-Western former foreign minister and economy minister. One of his first major jobs is preventing the Ukrainian economy from collapse......................http://www.voanews.com/content/biden-us-supports-ukraines-new-government/1861085.html
27/2/14
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