U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden expressed his deep concern about the tense situation in Ukraine during a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and urged him to open a political dialogue with the opposition.
Biden told Yanukovych Monday that the standoff between the authorities and protesters needed to be diffused and that "violence has no place in a democratic society." Violence is incompatible with the U.S.-Ukrainian strategic partnership, he said, according to a statement on the White House's website.
The United State's supports Ukraine's European aspirations and welcomes Yanukovych's commitment to following that path, Biden said.
He also welcomed the upcoming visits to Kiev of Catherine Ashton, EU foreign policy chief, and Victoria Nuland, U.S. State Department assistant secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs.
Nuland, who is in Moscow meeting with Russian foreign affairs officials, said Washington remained dedicated to supporting Ukraine's plans for European integration and asked Russia to use its influence to ensure a peaceful solution to the current situation, the U.S. Embassy said in a statement.
During her visit, Nuland said that the U.S. supports a non-violent and political resolution and the restoration Ukraine's economy with the support of the International Monetary Fund.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
