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Yatsenyuk Says Russia and Corruption 2 Biggest Threats to Ukraine

Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk on Wednesday said the country would 'win' if it managed to overcome two obstacles: Russia and corruption. David W Cerny

Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk on Wednesday outlined the country's two greatest threats: corruption and eastern neighbor Russia.

"We have two aggressors. The first external threat is the Russian Federation. And the second aggressor is internal: corruption, disorder, irresponsibility, lack of proper organization," Yatsenyuk said, according to a statement on the Ukrainian government website.

"Having overcome these two aggressors, we will be able to win," he added.

Ukraine is currently embroiled in a civil war in the east, where government forces are battling pro-Russian separatists that Kiev says have been supplied with weapons from Moscow. The Kremlin has repeatedly denied the claims.

Yatsenyuk, who was speaking at a meeting of government representatives, also called on the country's political parties to put aside their differences and rally around a united Ukraine.

"No matter how hard it is — all of us united, despite the different political preferences and even despite the electoral process. We are talking about the fate of the country, and not about the number of seats in parliament."

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Wednesday said Russia had removed the bulk of its forces from his country, raising hopes for lasting peace.

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