US Vice President Joseph Biden told Ukrainian political leaders that his country stands by Ukraine against "humiliating threats", but also called on them to fight widespread corruption in the country.
Biden told leaders of various political parties at a meeting on Tuesday that they face a historic chance to build a united Ukraine. He also encouraged them "to fight the cancer of corruption" within the ruling system.
In a conversation with nine parliamentarians, three of whom will run for the head of state, Biden emphasized the importance of the upcoming presidential elections in Ukraine.
The presidential election scheduled for May 25 "could be the most significant election in the history of Ukraine," Biden said. The US Vice President also had separate meetings with Ukrainian President Oleksandr Turchynov and Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, and later in the day he should also meet with democratic activists in Kyiv.
In today's talks, Biden said that the US is ready to help Ukraine become energy independent, instead of having to rely on energy supplies from Russia. On Monday, the US vice president began a two-day visit to Ukraine, to show the US commitment to that country and to encourage the urgent implementation of an international agreement aimed at easing tensions in that country.
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