Readout Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC August 7, 2018 The below is attributable to Spokesperson Heather Nauert: Secretary Michael R. Pompeo spoke on the phone with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko today to discuss a range of bilateral issues. Secretary Pompeo reiterated strong U.S. support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He emphasized that the ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 8 August, 2018 | Topics:
News, Press Releases
| Tags: call, Secretary Michael R. Pompeo
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson For Immediate Release STATEMENT BY SECRETARY POMPEO July 24, 2018 Crimea Declaration Russia, through its 2014 invasion of Ukraine and its attempted annexation of Crimea, sought to undermine a bedrock international principle shared by democratic states: that no country can change the borders of another by force. ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 25 July, 2018 | Topics:
News, Press Releases, Speeches
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson For Immediate Release STATEMENT BY HEATHER NAUERT, SPOKESPERSON July 24, 2018 The United States is pleased to note that the Government of Ukraine has welcomed an important announcement made today related to reform of the Ukrainian energy sector. The supervisory boards of Ukrainian state-owned Naftogaz and Main Gas ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 25 July, 2018 | Topics:
News, Press Releases, Speeches
| Tags: Ukraine Energy Reforms
July 20, 2018 WASHINGTON The Defense Department announced today that it will provide $200 million to Ukraine in security cooperation funds for additional training, equipment and advisory efforts to build the defensive capacity of Ukraine’s forces. This reaffirms the long-standing defense relationship between the United States and Ukraine, and brings the total U.S. security sector ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 21 July, 2018 | Topics:
News, Press Releases
| Tags: Defense Department, security cooperation
July 15, 2018 The G7 foreign ministers today issued the following statement in advance of the anniversary of the downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17: “We, the G7 foreign ministers, of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union, are united in ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 16 July, 2018 | Topics:
News, Press Releases
| Tags: G7, MH17
Press Statement Heather Nauert Department Spokesperson Washington, DC May 25, 2018 We strongly support the decisions by the Netherlands and Australia to call Russia to account for its role in the July 2014 downing of Malaysia Flight #17 (MH-17) over eastern Ukraine and the horrific deaths of 298 civilians. It is time for Russia to ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 25 May, 2018 | Topics:
News, Press Releases, Speeches
| Tags: Malaysia Airlines Flight MH-17
Press Statement Heather Nauert Department Spokesperson Washington, DC May 15, 2018 The United States condemns Russia’s construction and partial opening of the Kerch Strait Bridge between Russia and occupied Crimea, which was done without the permission of the government of Ukraine. Crimea is part of Ukraine. Russia’s construction of the bridge serves as a reminder ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 16 May, 2018 | Topics:
News, Press Releases
| Tags: Bridge, Kerch
Readout Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC April 21, 2018 The following is attributable to Spokesperson Heather Nauert: Acting Secretary of State John J. Sullivan met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin on April 21, on the margins of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Toronto, Canada. The Acting Secretary reaffirmed the United States’ ironclad ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 22 April, 2018 | Topics:
News, Press Releases
| Tags: Acting Secretary of State John J. Sullivan
Press Statement Heather Nauert Department Spokesperson Washington, DC April 18, 2018 The United States condemns yesterday’s shooting of civilian employees of the Donetsk Filtration Station in Ukraine, which left five individuals wounded. The filtration station has temporarily shut down following the incident. In addition to endangering the lives of innocent civilians, this attack threatened water ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 19 April, 2018 | Topics:
News, Press Releases, Speeches
| Tags: Donetsk Filtration Station
April 13, 2018 The program founded by Department of State in partnership with American Voices presents a wide variety of American muical genres and styles all over the world. In the 2016-2017 alone, AMA bands reached audiences in 42 different countries. AMA builds on the historis legacy of Jazz Ambassadors and Rhytm Road programs that ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 13 April, 2018 | Topics:
News, Press Releases
Press Statement Heather Nauert Department Spokesperson Washington, DC March 30, 2018 The United States strongly encourages the government of Ukraine to repeal legislation that requires the asset declarations from civil society and international members of state-owned-enterprise supervisory boards. Ukraine’s asset declaration system should hold public officials accountable and not place unnecessary burdens or pressure on ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 2 April, 2018 | Topics:
News, Press Releases
| Tags: civil society, e-declarations, rule of law
The White House March 29, 2018 Russia’s action today to expel American diplomats marks a further deterioration in the United States-Russia relationship. The expulsion of undeclared Russian intelligence officers by the United States and more than two dozen partner nations and NATO allies earlier this week was an appropriate response to the Russian attack on ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 30 March, 2018 | Topics:
News, Press Releases, Speeches
The White House March 26, 2018 Today President Donald J. Trump ordered the expulsion of dozens of Russian intelligence officers from the United States and the closure of the Russian consulate in Seattle due to its proximity to one of our submarine bases and Boeing. The United States takes this action in conjunction with our ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 26 March, 2018 | Topics:
News, Press Releases, Speeches
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson For Immediate Release STATEMENT BY HEATHER NAUERT, SPOKESPERSON March 26, 2018 On March 4, Russia used a military-grade nerve agent to attempt to murder a British citizen and his daughter in Salisbury. This attack on our Ally the United Kingdom put countless innocent lives at risk and resulted ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 26 March, 2018 | Topics:
News, Press Releases, Speeches
| Tags: Heather Nauert
Kyiv March 1, 2018 11:45 am Thank you Neil for the kind introduction, and to Tomas (Fiala) and to Dragon thanks for having all of us here. I know that most of you here are from the financial world, assessing if Ukraine is a right place for your money, but also your time. I’m a ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 1 March, 2018 | Topics:
Ambassador, News, Press Releases, Speeches
| Tags: Dragon Capital, Investment
February 27, 2018 President Hotel, Kyiv To all of my colleagues who are here today – I really thank you all for the chance to be here with you today to take stock of the past year’s efforts to combat Trafficking in Persons. As you know, trafficking is modern-day slavery and it’s a global problem. ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 27 February, 2018 | Topics:
Ambassador, News, Press Releases, Speeches
| Tags: Ministry of Interior
Kyiv February 26, 2018 Good morning everybody. It’s really an honor to be here at the fourth international forum on the de-occupation of Crimea. I am pleased be here, although, I think like all speaking here today I am sorry that it’s under circumstances. Four years after Russian forces took over the Crimean Rada, forums ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 26 February, 2018 | Topics:
Ambassador, News, Press Releases, Speeches
| Tags: conflict, de-occupation
Press Statement Heather Nauert Department Spokesperson Washington, DC February 19, 2018 Four years ago, Ukrainians from all walks of life and all regions of the country came together on the Maydan, Kyiv’s central square, to demand their government recognize the choice of the citizens of Ukraine to join Europe. Scores of Ukrainians—the “Heavenly Hundred”—gave their ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 20 February, 2018 | Topics:
News, Press Releases
| Tags: Revolution of Dignity
Media Note Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC February 14, 2018 Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan will travel to Germany, Italy, Ukraine, Latvia, and Belgium from February 15-24. The Deputy Secretary will arrive in Munich on February 16 to lead the State Department delegation to the Munich Security Conference. He will participate in ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 15 February, 2018 | Topics:
News, Press Releases
| Tags: Deputy Secretary of State, John Sullivan
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson For Immediate Release STATEMENT BY HEATHER NAUERT, SPOKESPERSON February 13, 2018 Yesterday marked the somber third anniversary of the signing of the Package of Measures for the Implementation of the Minsk Agreements. Sadly, Russia continues to disregard its commitments under the Minsk agreements, stoking a hot conflict in Ukraine that has ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 15 February, 2018 | Topics:
News, Press Releases
| Tags: Heather Nauert, Minsk agreements, Spokesperson, State Department
February 14, 2018 Kyiv As Delivered Доброго ранку! Шановний генерале Муженко, шановні пані та панове. Це задоволення для мене бути сьогодні тут для передачі двох тисяч п’ятисот приборів нічного бачення нашим партнерам в Збройних Силах України. З ними загальна кількість приборів нічного бачення що ми надали збільшилася майже в два рази. Технологія в цих приборах ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 14 February, 2018 | Topics:
Ambassador, News, Press Releases, Speeches
| Tags: army, Assistance, defense, military, Night Vision Devices, security
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson For Immediate Release STATEMENT BY HEATHER NAUERT, SPOKESPERSON January 31, 2018 The history of the Holocaust is painful and complex. We understand that phrases such as “Polish death camps” are inaccurate, misleading, and hurtful. We are concerned, however, that if enacted this draft legislation could undermine free ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 2 February, 2018 | Topics:
News, Press Releases
| Tags: Holocaust, Poland
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson For Immediate Release STATEMENT BY HEATHER NAUERT, SPOKESPERSON December 28, 2017 The United States welcomes yesterday’s exchange between the government of Ukraine and Russia-led forces in eastern Ukraine of more than 300 detainees. This exchange is one step toward implementation of the Minsk agreements. We once again call ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 29 December, 2017 | Topics:
News, Press Releases
| Tags: Detainee Exchange, Russia-led Forces
December 6, 2017 We are aware that Mr. Saakashvili was detained and that protests are ongoing. We are following developments closely. We call on all to fully respect and support the constitutional and legal order of Ukraine, adhere to the rights and responsibilities of peaceful protest, and refrain from attempts at destabilization. We also expect ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 6 December, 2017 | Topics:
News, Press Releases
| Tags: Saakashvili
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson For Immediate Release STATEMENT BY HEATHER NAUERT, SPOKESPERSON December 4, 2017 Recent events – including the disruption of a high-level corruption investigation, the arrest of officials from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), and the seizure of sensitive NABU files – raise concerns about Ukraine’s commitment ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 5 December, 2017 | Topics:
News, Press Releases
| Tags: Anti-Corruption, Heather Nauert, NABU, Spokesperson
November 16, 2017 It is such a pleasure to be here with all of you and obviously the distinguished guests in our front row. I am sure everybody here is distinguished. I am honored to join you at this Sixth Annual Civil Society Capacity Building Forum and greeting 1,700 civil activists who are participating in ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 27 November, 2017 | Topics:
Ambassador, News, Press Releases, Speeches
| Tags: Civil Society Capacity Building Forum
Press Statement Heather Nauert Department Spokesperson Washington, DC November 17, 2017 This month we remember and honor the millions of Ukrainians who were starved to death in the early 1930s as a result of the brutal Soviet-era policies under Stalin. The barbaric seizure of Ukrainian land and crops leading to the Holodomor, or “death by ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 18 November, 2017 | Topics:
News, Press Releases
| Tags: Holodomor
November 15, 2017 We congratulate the Verkhovna Rada for adopting the draft election code #3112-1 in the first reading. We agree that now is the time for electoral reform, allowing at least one year for implementation prior to the 2019 elections. We believe that there is still room for a transparent, inclusive and consultative process before the second ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 15 November, 2017 | Topics:
News, Press Releases
| Tags: Electoral Reform in Ukraine
November 14, 2017 U.S. Special Representative Volker and Russian Presidential Representative Surkov met in Belgrade on November 13, 2017. It was their third meeting and was a thorough discussion of the current diplomatic state of play concerning efforts to end the war in the Donbas. It is not surprising that the United States and Russia ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 14 November, 2017 | Topics:
News, Press Releases
| Tags: Donbas, U.S. Special Representative Volker
October 23, 2017 We welcome the adoption in the Rada of the healthcare reform bill and look forward to its swift enactment. This legislation is a significant step forward and is designed to ensure better healthcare provision for all Ukrainians, achieve efficient primary to tertiary health care, and eradicate corruption. This achievement is just the ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 23 October, 2017 | Topics:
News, Press Releases
| Tags: G7 Ambassadors, Healthcare Reform in Ukraine
The new registration period for DV-2019 opens for electronic entries noon, Eastern Daylight Time, Wednesday, October 18, 2017, and closes at noon, Eastern Standard Time, Wednesday, November 22, 2017. Due to technical issues, the registration period for DV-2019 is being restarted, and all entries made prior to October 18, 2017, will need to be resubmitted for the entrant ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 17 October, 2017 | Topics:
News, Press Releases
| Tags: Diversity Visa Program – DV-2019
October 5, 2017 Kyiv, Ukraine – First Vice Prime Minister – Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine Stepan Kubiv and Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Europe and the Middle East L. Daniel Mullaney released the following joint statement October 3 after the seventh meeting of the United States – Ukraine Trade and ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 5 October, 2017 | Topics:
News, Press Releases, Trade
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson For Immediate Release STATEMENT BY HEATHER NAUERT, SPOKESPERSON October 3, 2017 The United States is deeply troubled by the September 27 conviction and two-year prison sentence for Crimean Tatar leader Ilmi Umerov in Russian-occupied Crimea. He was convicted for his opposition to Russia’s attempted annexation of Crimea and ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 3 October, 2017 | Topics:
News, Press Releases
| Tags: Ilmi Umerov
The White House Office of the Press Secretary For Immediate Release October 02, 2017 BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION Our Nation is heartbroken. We mourn with all whose loved ones were murdered and injured in last night’s horrible tragedy in Las Vegas, Nevada. As we grieve, we pray that ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 3 October, 2017 | Topics:
News, President Donald Trump, Press Releases, Speeches
| Tags: Presidential Proclamation, Victims of the Tragedy in Las Vegas
September 29, 2017 The United States and Ukraine conducted the first United States-Ukraine Bilateral Cyber Dialogue in Kyiv, Ukraine, on September 29, 2017. As a demonstration of the U.S. commitment to supporting cybersecurity in Ukraine, U.S. Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch announced at the dialogue that the United States would provide over $5 million in new cyber ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 30 September, 2017 | Topics:
News, Press Releases
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson For Immediate Release STATEMENT BY HEATHER NAUERT, SPOKESPERSON September 25, 2017 The United States is deeply troubled by the decision of a court in Russian-occupied Crimea against Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist Mykola Semena, convicting him of separatism charges and handing down a two-and-a-half year suspended sentence and a ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 26 September, 2017 | Topics:
News, Press Releases, Speeches
| Tags: Mykola Semena, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russian-occupied Crimea
The White House Office of the Press Secretary For Immediate Release September 21, 2017 Lotte New York Palace Hotel New York, New York PRESIDENT TRUMP: Thank you very much. It’s wonderful to have President Poroshenko with us. We spent some time recently in the White House, and I know you’ve made good progress since then ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 22 September, 2017 | Topics:
News, Press Releases, Speeches
| Tags: President Donald J. Trump, President Petro Poroshenko, Remarks
Press Statement Heather Nauert Department Spokesperson Washington, DC September 13, 2017 We are deeply troubled by the conviction and 8-year sentence handed down on September 10 in Crimea to the Deputy Head of the Crimean Tatar Mejlis, Akhtem Chiygoz, in connection with baseless charges related to a demonstration that took place before Russia’s occupation even ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 14 September, 2017 | Topics:
News, Press Releases, Speeches
| Tags: Akhtem Chiygoz, annexation of Crimea, Crimean Tatar Mejlis
Press Operations Secretary Mattis Joint Press Conference with Ukrainian President Poroshenko Augгіе 24, 2017 (JOINED IN PROGRESS) UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT PETRO POROSHENKO (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): — you for keeping your promise in our arrangement that we had in Pentagon during my visit to Washington. You promised me that you would come to Ukraine in celebration of the ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 24 August, 2017 | Topics:
News, Press Releases, Speeches
| Tags: Joint Press Conference, Secretary Mattis
Press Release July 25, 2017 Representatives from the United States and Ukraine met on July 24-25, 2017, in Kyiv, to discuss the legal tools for successful prosecutions of nuclear and other radioactive material smuggling. The delegations exchanged approaches and best practices for prosecuting such smuggling cases and noted the importance of continued vigilance to ensure ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 25 July, 2017 | Topics:
News, Press Releases
| Tags: Counter Nuclear Smuggling Capabilities
July 20, 2017 Today marks the one year anniversary of the murder of journalist Pavel Sheremet. On this occasion, G7 Ambassadors stress the importance of continuing the investigation into his death and bringing those responsible to justice. We continue to support media freedom in Ukraine and the important role of independent and free media.
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 20 July, 2017 | Topics:
News, Press Releases
| Tags: Pavel Sheremet
Press Statement Heather Nauert Department Spokesperson Washington, DC July 17, 2017 Three years ago today 298 innocent civilians were killed in the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17. The United States again extends its deepest sympathy to the families and friends of the victims. The United States will continue to support the efforts of the ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 18 July, 2017 | Topics:
News, Press Releases
| Tags: Heather Nauert
Press Statement Heather Nauert Department Spokesperson Washington, DC July 5, 2017 U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will accompany President Donald J. Trump on travel to Hamburg, Germany, July 5–9. Secretary Tillerson will then make his first official visit to Kyiv, Ukraine on July 9, where he will meet President Poroshenko and with young reformers ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 6 July, 2017 | Topics:
News, Press Releases, Secretary Rex Tillerson
| Tags: Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Ukraine
THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 20, 2017 President Donald J. Trump met today with President Petro Poroshenko of Ukraine to discuss support for the peaceful resolution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine and President Poroshenko’s reform agenda and anticorruption efforts.
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 20 June, 2017 | Topics:
News, President Donald Trump, Press Releases
June 8, 2017 We can confirm that there was a security incident involving a small incendiary device shortly after 12 am June 8 at the Embassy compound. There was no damage to Embassy property. No personnel were injured. All Embassy operations are continuing as normal. At this time, we do not consider this incident a ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 8 June, 2017 | Topics:
News, Press Releases
| Tags: Embassy of the United States of America to Ukraine
17 May 2017 By the Ambassadors to Ukraine of Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, the European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the United States of America Today, on 17 May, the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia, we are proud to reaffirm our commitment to the protection of human rights ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 17 May, 2017 | Topics:
News, Press Releases
| Tags: IDAHO, LGBTI
Fairmont Hotel Kyiv, Ukraine May 11, 2017 As delivered It is great to see so many friends and partners out there. And if Susant hasn’t said that we needed to have a round of applause, I would have said that. It’s great to be here for such a super occasion. And of course, one of ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 16 May, 2017 | Topics:
Ambassador, Events, News, Press Releases, Speeches
| Tags: 25th Anniversary, Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch, USAID
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson Official – Transitory For Immediate Release READOUT May 10, 2017 Secretary Tillerson met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov today in Washington for more than an hour to discuss a range of issues including Ukraine, Syria, and bilateral concerns. The Secretary and Foreign Minister discussed the importance ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 10 May, 2017 | Topics:
News, Press Releases, Secretary Rex Tillerson
Press Statement Mark C. Toner Acting Spokesperson Washington, DC April 23, 2017 The United States is shocked and deeply saddened by the death of a U.S. citizen serving as a paramedic with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Special Monitoring Mission (SMM), when his vehicle struck an explosive in separatist controlled territory in ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 23 April, 2017 | Topics:
News, Press Releases
As Delivered Radisson Blu Hotel, Kyiv April 7, 2017 10:30 a.m. Question from Moderator: Why is independent public broadcasting important for Ukraine? Thanks for that question. I think that’s an important question. Because a Public Broadcasting Service is, as basically everyone here has already intimated, it’s important not just for Ukraine, but it’s important for ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 7 April, 2017 | Topics:
Ambassador, Events, News, Press Releases, Speeches
| Tags: Council of Europe, Public Broadcasting
THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 1, 2017 WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH, 2017 BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION We are proud of our Nation’s achievements in promoting women’s full participation in all aspects of American life and are resolute in our commitment to supporting ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 2 March, 2017 | Topics:
News, Press Releases, Speeches
| Tags: Proclamation, Women's History Month
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson For Immediate Release STATEMENT BY MARK TONER, ACTING SPOKESPERSON February 26, 2017 The United States is closely monitoring the growing violence in eastern Ukraine in recent weeks and the continuing failure of the combined Russian-separatist forces to honor the cease-fire called for under the Minsk agreements. We ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 26 February, 2017 | Topics:
News, Press Releases
| Tags: SMM
We join OSCE Special Monitoring Mission Chief Monitor Ambassador Apakan in his unequivocal condemnation of yesterday’s attack on SMM monitors and theft of SMM UAV by Russia-led separatists. The SMM fulfills a critical role in observing military actions and movements along the line of contact, and its work helps save civilian lives. SMM monitors should ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 25 February, 2017 | Topics:
News, Press Releases
| Tags: Ambassador Apakan, OSCE, OSCE’s Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), SMM
THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Vice President FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 18, 2017 The Vice President met today in Munich with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. The Vice President expressed concern about the recent surge in violence in eastern Ukraine, and the leaders agreed on the need for an immediate comprehensive ceasefire. The Vice President ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 18 February, 2017 | Topics:
News, Press Releases, Vice President Mike Pence
| Tags: Crimean peninsula, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, Vice President
February 16, 2017 We are concerned by the current disruption to the coal supply from the non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk and its potential impact on Ukraine’s energy system, the Ukrainian economy, and the Ukrainian people. The relevant parties need to come together to find a way forward in the short term that allows ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 16 February, 2017 | Topics:
News, Press Releases
| Tags: coal supply
February 8, 2017 Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch and Ukrainian Finance Minister Oleksandr Danyliuk signed an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) yesterday to implement provisions of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) and to promote transparency between the two nations on tax matters. The agreement underscores our continued cooperation and strong bilateral relationship with Ukraine as well as ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 7 February, 2017 | Topics:
Ambassador, Events, News, Press Releases
| Tags: Agreement to Share Tax Information, Ambassador Yovanovitch, IGA, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, Ukraine
September 1, 2016 U.S. Treasury Department Office of Public Affairs FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE U.S. Will Maintain Sanctions Pressure Until Russia Has Fulfilled All of Its Commitments under the Minsk Agreements WASHINGTON – To maintain the effectiveness of existing sanctions, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today designated 37 individuals and ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 1 September, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
| Tags: Sanctions, U.S. Treasury Department, Ukraine
July 20, 2016. U.S. authorities have charged the alleged owner of today’s most visited illegal file-sharing website with criminal copyright infringement and have seized domain names associated with the website. Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Zachary T. Fardon of the Northern District of Illinois, Executive Associate ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 20 July, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
July 20, 2016. We are shocked and saddened by the killing of Ukrainska Pravda journalist Pavel Sheremet in a car bombing in Kyiv. We join the government of Ukraine in support of a full and impartial investigation that will bring those responsible to justice. Mr. Sheremet, a Belarusian citizen, served as an example to journalists in ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 20 July, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
July 16, 2016. Two years ago today, Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine, taking the lives of 298 innocent people from 11 countries. Our sympathy and thoughts remain with the families and friends of the MH 17 victims. In October 2015, we welcomed the findings of the Dutch Safety Board in its ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 16 July, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
Over the past week, Ukraine’s armed forces suffered the most casualties in any one-week period since the September 2015 ceasefire was signed. The fighting was especially intense yesterday in the Luhansk region, notably around Stanytsia-Luhanska, where the separatists advanced their position so that they are now on what was the Ukrainian-controlled side of the river. ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 14 July, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
The United States strongly supports NATO’s cooperation with partners as a means to more effectively share burdens and further our common security goals. This aligns with wider U.S. strategy of driving global cooperation on security challenges through networks of alliances and building local nation partnerships across the globe. The Partnership for Peace (PfP), established in ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 9 July, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
We believe that the time has come to give new impetus and new substance to the NATO-EU strategic partnership. In consultation with the EU Member States and the NATO Allies, working with, and for the benefit of all, this partnership will take place in the spirit of full mutual openness and in compliance with the decision-making ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 8 July, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
PRESIDENT DUDA: (As interpreted.) Excellency, Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much that in my capacity as President of the Republic of Poland, I can welcome the President of the United States, Mr. Barack Obama, to Warsaw, to NATO Summit. It is my great pleasure because I hope that this summit will have ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 8 July, 2016 | Topics:
President Barack Obama, Press Releases
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Good morning, everybody. Let me begin by thanking Presidents Tusk and Juncker for the opportunity to meet today. With your understanding, I want to begin with a few words about the situation back in the United States, specifically the situation in Dallas, Texas. My team has been keeping me updated throughout the morning ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 8 July, 2016 | Topics:
President Barack Obama, Press Releases
The United States and our 27 allies are strongly committed to NATO’s three core tasks of collective defense, crisis management, and cooperative security. In pursuit of these tasks, NATO seeks a range of capabilities and other resources from allies. These capabilities are provided mostly from allied national inventories, but also in the form of military ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 8 July, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
By President Barack Obama This may be the most important moment for our transatlantic alliance since the end of the cold war. Terrorist attacks inspired or directed by Isis have slaughtered innocents in Nato countries, from Orlando to Paris to Brussels to Istanbul. Conflicts from Africa to Syria to Afghanistan have sent waves of migrants ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 8 July, 2016 | Topics:
President Barack Obama, Press Releases
Today, Secretary of State John Kerry announced in Kyiv that the United States is providing nearly $23 million in additional U.S. humanitarian assistance to help thousands of vulnerable people affected by the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine. This announcement brings the total of U.S. humanitarian assistance since the start of the crisis to more than ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 7 July, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases, Secretary John Kerry
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to Tbilisi, Georgia on July 6, 2016, to meet with Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili for bilateral discussions on a range of issues, including U.S. support for Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations and successful elections in October. The Secretary will then co-chair a plenary meeting of the U.S.-Georgia Strategic ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 30 June, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases, Secretary John Kerry
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry released the 2016 Trafficking in Persons Report at the State Department in Washington DC June 30. As directed by the U.S. Congress, the State Department prepares this report for all countries in the world. The goal of these reports is to stimulate action and create partnerships around the world ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 30 June, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases, Secretary John Kerry
On June 29, 2016, Acting Deputy Assistant Director Mathew S. Moon of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Director Artem Sytnyk of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen existing cooperation between the agencies as they pursue anti-corruption initiatives. The memorandum establishes that the FBI and ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 29 June, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
Earlier today, I spoke to British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond regarding yesterday’s referendum in the United Kingdom. The citizens of the U.K. have made their decision and we will of course respect it. I want to emphasize that although the U.K. will be leaving the European Union, the British are in no way departing from ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 24 June, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases, Secretary John Kerry
The people of the United Kingdom have spoken, and we respect their decision. The special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom is enduring, and the United Kingdom’s membership in NATO remains a vital cornerstone of U.S. foreign, security, and economic policy. So too is our relationship with the European Union, which has ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 24 June, 2016 | Topics:
President Barack Obama, Press Releases
Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland and NSC Senior Directors Celeste Wallander and Charles Kupchan visited Moscow June 23 for consultations with Russian officials on the situation in eastern Ukraine and next steps to implement the Minsk agreements in support of the Normandy countries. The Russian delegation was led by ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 24 June, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland and NSC Senior Directors Charles Kupchan and Celeste Wallander met on June 22 with senior Ukrainian officials, including President Poroshenko, Speaker of Parliament Parubiy, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration for Foreign Policy Yelisieiev, and Foreign Minister Klimkin to discuss Ukraine’s reform agenda and ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 23 June, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
Greg, thank you very much. Thank you for – I don’t know where you’ve gone off to. But thank you for your extraordinary personal leadership. Greg has been the head of a bank – the Silicon Valley Bank, that is the only bank dedicated to technology, to innovation, and to entrepreneurs. And it has racked ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 22 June, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases, Secretary John Kerry
Chairman Corker, Ranking Member Cardin, members of this committee. It is a privilege and an honor to appear before you today as President Obama’s nominee to serve as the United States Ambassador to Ukraine. If confirmed, I look forward to working with this Committee and Congress to continue our strong support for the Ukrainian people, ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 21 June, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
During his meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman, Vice President Joe Biden announced today in Washington that, pending Congressional notification, the White House plans to commit $220 million in new assistance to Ukraine this year in support of economic, political, and energy reforms. This assistance package will continue our support for Ukraine’s efforts to strengthen democratic ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 15 June, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
Vice President Biden met today at the White House with Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman to discuss Ukraine’s reform agenda and the implementation of the Minsk agreements. The Vice President expressed strong support for the Prime Minister’s ambitious reform efforts and commended him for the bold reform steps his Cabinet has already taken in its ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 15 June, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook provided the following readout: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter met with Ukrainian Minister of Defense General Stepan Poltorak today on the sidelines of the NATO Defense Ministerial in Brussels, Belgium. The two leaders discussed Russia’s ongoing aggression in eastern Ukraine and Secretary Carter emphasized that the United States, together with ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 15 June, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
As prepared Thank you Chairman Corker, Ranking Member Cardin, and members of this committee for the opportunity to join you and discuss the challenges posed to international peace and security by Russia today, and the Administration’s policy toward Moscow. As this Committee knows, for more than 20 years following the collapse of the Soviet Union, ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 7 June, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
Pryvit. My name is Randy Berry and I am the U.S. State Department’s first Special Envoy for the Rights of LGBTI persons. It is a real pleasure and honor to be here with you today in Ukraine and to play a role in launching your Pride Week. My job as Special Envoy is to lead ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 7 June, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
SEOUL – U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew released a statement following the signing today of a $1 billion loan guarantee agreement for Ukraine in Kyiv: “Today’s signing marks the third $1 billion U.S. loan guarantee agreement for Ukraine and underscores the continued support of the United States for Ukraine’s economic reform agenda. “The third $1 ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 3 June, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
The United States and Ukraine signed today a $1 billion loan guarantee agreement, the third $1 billion loan guarantee provided by the U.S. to Ukraine since May 2014. This guarantee reinforces the United States’ strong commitment to the people of Ukraine by strengthening the Government of Ukraine as it continues to institute reforms that reduce corruption, improve ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 3 June, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBTI Persons Randy Berry will travel to Ottawa, Canada, June 1 – 2 to participate in a panel session at the “Dignity Initiative LGBTI Human Rights Globally Conference.” The Conference aims to exchange information and develop common strategies for Canada’s role in advancing the human rights of LGBTI ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 31 May, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
Since our founding, America has advanced on an unending path toward becoming a more perfect Union. This journey, led by forward-thinking individuals who have set their sights on reaching for a brighter tomorrow, has never been easy or smooth. The fight for dignity and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people is reflected ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 31 May, 2016 | Topics:
President Barack Obama, Press Releases
1. G7 Ambassadors reiterate the importance of the judicial reform in Ukraine, prior to the second reading of the draft law on amending the Constitution of Ukraine as to Justice at the Verkhovna Rada next week. We recall the judicial reform is a backbone of all the reforms in Ukraine to regain public trust and ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 27 May, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
Vice President Biden spoke today with President Poroshenko of Ukraine. The Vice President congratulated President Poroshenko on the release of Ukrainian pilot and Rada member Nadiya Savchenko and called for the release of all Ukrainians unlawfully detained in Russia. The leaders discussed the importance of continuing to institute reforms in the Office of the Prosecutor ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 27 May, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
During the 708 days since her abduction in eastern Ukraine, Nadiya Savchenko has endured inhumane imprisonment, countless interrogations, solitary confinement, the deterioration of her health, and farcical Russian legal proceedings. Today, Savchenko’s nightmare has finally ended. While we are overjoyed at the news that Savchenko is reunited with her family, we remember the other Ukrainians, ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 25 May, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
I welcome today’s news that Nadiya Savchenko has returned to Ukraine and the Government of Ukraine’s humanitarian decision to release two Russian service members captured on Ukrainian soil and convicted of terrorism-related charges. Nearly two years ago, Nadiya Savchenko was captured in combat in eastern Ukraine and forcibly taken against her will into Russia. Her ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 25 May, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases, Secretary John Kerry
Today at the Cabinet of Ministers, the United States signed a Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement with Ukraine, providing a framework for expanded cooperation between the two countries on matters related to the flow of people, goods, and services into and out of Ukraine. The agreement builds on the already robust partnership between the United States ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 23 May, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
Today in Kyiv, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM), Nancy Izzo-Jackson and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Deputy Assistant Administrator Robert Jenkins announced that the United States will provide more than $28 million in additional U.S. humanitarian assistance to help the hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people affected by Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 20 May, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
SECRETARY KERRY: Good afternoon, everybody. I’m personally very pleased to be back in Brussels, which I have come to understand, as many people in the world have, is a city of remarkable strength and resilience. And I’m very, very grateful to Secretary-General Stoltenberg and my NATO colleagues for the productive discussions that we’ve been able ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 19 May, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases, Secretary John Kerry
On May 18, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate Marie L. Yovanovitch to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine. Pending confirmation by the United States Senate, Ambassador Yovanovitch looks forward to building on the work of her predecessors in Kyiv to further strengthen the already close ties between the United States and Ukraine. ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 19 May, 2016 | Topics:
President Barack Obama, Press Releases
ASSISTANT SECRETARY NULAND: Hello everybody. It’s nice to see you. We are just completing a very constructive round of consultations here in Moscow. Yesterday, we had a very thorough discussion, led on the Russian side by Presidential Administration Senior Advisor Surkov, on the whole complex issues associated with the Minsk Agreements. Today here at the Foreign ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 18 May, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
On International Day Against Homophoia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, we stand in solidarity with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) persons worldwide. We celebrate the progress made to advance a world where all persons are respected and can live free from fear and discrimination. And today we reaffirm our belief all persons are born free ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 17 May, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases, Secretary John Kerry
On May 17, Americans and people around the world mark the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia by reaffirming the dignity and inherent worth of all people, regardless of who they love or their gender identity. Our nation is committed to the principle that all people should be treated fairly and with respect. Advancing this goal has ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 17 May, 2016 | Topics:
President Barack Obama, Press Releases
On May 17, Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland will travel from Vienna, Austria, to Moscow, Russia. She will meet with senior Russian government officials to discuss the situation in eastern Ukraine and next steps to implement the Minsk agreements in support of the Normandy countries and the Trilateral Contact Group. She ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 17 May, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
Joint Statement by the Ambassadors to Ukraine of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the United States of America on the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia Today, May 17, is the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia. As representatives of the international community and our respective ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 17 May, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
U.S. Secretary of State Kerry reaffirmed the Administration’s commitment to combating corruption at the Anti-Corruption Summit in London this week. Heads of state from more than forty countries, multinational organizations, and civil society leaders joined together to make a clear statement: corruption drives political instability, erodes trust between citizens and government, cripples basic functions of ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 12 May, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
Today, on Yom HaShoah, we solemnly remember the six million Jews and the millions of others murdered by the Nazis during the Holocaust. On this day, we honor the memory of the millions of individuals – the mothers and daughters, fathers and sons, friends and neighbors – who lost their lives during a time of ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 4 May, 2016 | Topics:
President Barack Obama, Press Releases
Michelle and I extend our best wishes to members of the Orthodox Christian community here in America and around the world as they observe Holy Friday and the Feast of the Resurrection. For Orthodox Christians, this is a time to remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, to rejoice in the victory of the Resurrection and to be ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 29 April, 2016 | Topics:
President Barack Obama, Press Releases
Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Assistant Secretary-General Zerihoun, Ambassador Apakan, and Special Representative Sajdik, for your informative briefings. I’d also like to thank the Ukrainian delegation for calling this essential meeting. We recognize, as I think all members of the Council do, the critically important work OSCE teams are carrying out in the field, ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 28 April, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
ASSISTANT SECRETARY NULAND: Good afternoon, everybody. Apologies for keeping you waiting. It is terrific to be back in Kyiv on this beautiful spring day, and on the eve of the Orthodox Easter holidays and the May Day holidays, and as the new Ukrainian government begins its work with the Rada under new leadership and a ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 27 April, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman met with Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland , during which the parties discussed the future course of action on reform in Ukraine, the question of their support from the United States. Volodymyr Groysman informed his interlocutors about the priorities of the new Government. “The real situation is very ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 26 April, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
Today at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Nuclear Safety Account Donors Assembly in Kyiv, the United States pledged an additional $10 million dollars in U.S. support to help ensure the safety of the Chornobyl nuclear facility and people living in the surrounding area. The pledge builds on the more than $400 million ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 25 April, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
President Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron, French President François Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi met today for talks at Schloss Herrenhausen in Hannover, Germany. The conversation covered the most urgent issues on the trans-Atlantic agenda. The leaders agreed that the implications of irregular migration to Europe posed a ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 25 April, 2016 | Topics:
President Barack Obama, Press Releases
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Thank you so much. (Applause.) Thank you. Guten tag! It is wonderful to see all of you, and I want to begin by thanking Chancellor Merkel for being here. (Applause.) On behalf of the American people, I want to thank Angela for being a champion of our alliance. And on behalf of all ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 25 April, 2016 | Topics:
President Barack Obama, Press Releases
On April 25, Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland will travel from Hannover, Germany, to Kyiv, Ukraine, to meet with senior Ukrainian government officials, political party leaders, Rada members, and civil society representatives. She will discuss a range of bilateral and regional issues, including reform priorities and Minsk implementation.
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 25 April, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
On this 30th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster, our thoughts remain with the victims, from the emergency workers who gave their lives to prevent an even greater disaster, to those living in the area affected by the fallout. The United States marks this anniversary with a pledge of an additional $10 million dollars to help ensure the ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 25 April, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
CHANCELLER MERKEL: (As interpreted.) Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to bid a very warm welcome to the President of the United States of America, Barack Obama, here to Germany on this fifth visit, this time to Hannover. And let me tell you that I am delighted to have an opportunity not only to continue ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 24 April, 2016 | Topics:
President Barack Obama, Press Releases
MR. KENT: (In Ukrainian) Good morning, Minister Omelyan, Committee Head Dubnevych, Andy. I’m very pleased to speak with you today on the modernization of Ukraine’s infrastructure. Allow me to continue in English. I would like to congratulate you, Minister, on your appointment. We’ve worked closely with you in the past, and we look to continue to build ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 22 April, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
We call on the Russian Federation to reverse the Ministry of Justice’s recent decision to designate the Crimean Tatar Mejlis as an “extremist” organization and the decision by de facto authorities in Crimea to suspend this democratic institution. The Mejlis has long been a representative body for the traditionally under-represented and historically oppressed Crimean Tatar ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 21 April, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
As part of his previously announced travel to Hannover, Germany, President Obama will meet with President Francois Hollande of France, Prime Minister Matteo Renzi of Italy, and Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom in a meeting hosted by German Chancellor Angela Merkel on April 25. The President looks forward to discussing with these European ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 20 April, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
President Obama spoke today by phone with President Vladimir Putin of Russia to share his concern over the status of the Cessation of Hostilities in Syria between the Syrian regime and its allies on the one hand and the armed opposition on the other. President Obama stressed the importance of pressing the Syrian regime to ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 18 April, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
The following is attributable to Spokesperson John Kirby: Secretary of State John Kerry spoke today via phone with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to reiterate our serious concerns over the ongoing threats to the Cessation of Hostilities in Syria and the urgent need for the Assad regime to stop its violations of the cessation. Secretary ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 15 April, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases, Secretary John Kerry
The Vice President spoke with President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko today. The Vice President congratulated the President on the new cabinet and government program of work that were approved by the Rada today. The Vice President stressed that Ukraine must use the renewed political stability to move forward on the reforms required to secure Ukraine’s ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 14 April, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
Vice President Biden spoke today with Ukraine’s newly-elected Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman. The Vice President congratulated the Prime Minister on his election, and on the new cabinet and government program of work that were approved by the Rada today. The Vice President stressed that, in order to maintain international support for Ukraine, the new team ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 14 April, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
SECRETARY KERRY: Good afternoon, everybody. Thanks for being here. I’m going to make a statement and I have to run from here to an NSC meeting on a number of issues, so forgive me if I dash out of here. I’m not trying to avoid you, but Tom will take some questions and I think ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 13 April, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases, Secretary John Kerry
QUESTION: So Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has recently resigned and now we know that one of his possible successors, head of the parliament Mr. Groysman, has refused to head the new cabinet. What are the U.S. expectations from the new government, especially in terms of lasting cooperation in and providing financial support for Kyiv? ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 11 April, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
Q And separately, is the White House concerned about the state of events in Ukraine after the Prime Minister stepped down on Sunday — concerned about the pace of reform that otherwise was going on there? MR. EARNEST: Well, Jeff, the administration has been concerned about the situation in Ukraine for quite some time now. And ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 11 April, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
Vice President Biden spoke this morning with Prime Minister of Ukraine Arseniy Yatsenyuk, who announced today his intention to resign as Prime Minister next week in expectation that a new government would be confirmed by the Ukrainian Parliament. The Vice President thanked Prime Minister Yatsenyuk for his partnership during a historic time for Ukraine. He ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 10 April, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
THE PRESIDENT: It’s a great pleasure to welcome back once again my good friend, the Secretary General of NATO, Secretary General Stoltenberg. We are marking the 67th anniversary of the NATO alliance, and NATO continues to be the lynchpin, the cornerstone of our collective defense and U.S. security policy. We had an excellent meeting that ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 4 April, 2016 | Topics:
President Barack Obama, Press Releases
Vice President Biden met today with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. President Poroshenko updated the Vice President on coalition negotiations to form a new Ukrainian government that is committed to a reform program, including IMF and EU requirements, and the full implementation of its Minsk commitments. President Poroshenko also noted his commitment to installing a new, credible ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 31 March, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
SECRETARY KERRY: Well, Sergey, thank you very much. First of all, thank you for welcoming me back to Moscow, and indeed, this is my third visit. And I think it’s fair to say that each of the visits that I’ve had and (inaudible) have permitted us to be able to find some path forward – ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 24 March, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases, Secretary John Kerry
SECRETARY KERRY: Well, look, this is a great pleasure. I’m really very happy to meet with all of you, because you are the future, and because you’re all engaged in exciting endeavors to try to do new things, break through, be entrepreneurs. And that’s – I mean, everywhere I go in the world as Secretary ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 23 March, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases, Secretary John Kerry
Secretary Kerry will travel to Brussels, Belgium, on Friday to formally express the condolences of the United States for the loss of life in yesterday’s terrorist attacks, and to meet with Belgian and European Union officials. He will reiterate the strong support of the United States for Belgian efforts to both investigate these attacks and ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 23 March, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases, Secretary John Kerry
The conviction and sentencing of Nadiya Savchenko to 22 years imprisonment show a blatant disregard for the principles of justice and contravene Russia’s commitments under the Minsk agreements. For nearly two years, Russia has unjustly detained Savchenko on charges that have no basis in fact and has denied her the basic protections of the rule ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 22 March, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
President Obama spoke today by phone with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel to offer his condolences on behalf of the American people following today’s horrific terrorist attacks in Brussels. The President reaffirmed the steadfast support of the United States for Belgium, and offered any assistance necessary in investigating these attacks and bringing those responsible to ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 22 March, 2016 | Topics:
President Barack Obama, Press Releases
Vice President Biden spoke today with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. The Vice President condemned the unjust conviction and sentencing of Ukrainian pilot and member of parliament Nadiya Savchenko and underlined Russia’s obligation under the Minsk Agreements to release her. The Vice President emphasized the importance of Ukraine quickly reestablishing a stable government and parliamentary coalition ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 22 March, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
Today’s abhorrent attacks in Brussels are an assault against the Belgian people and the very heart of Europe. Our thoughts are with all those in Brussels, including the injured and the loved ones of those who were killed, and with the first responders and security personnel who are working tirelessly to keep Brussels safe. The ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 22 March, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases, Secretary John Kerry
Thanks to all the colleagues who have come out for this very important event. It has been more than two years since Russia held its sham referendum in Crimea in an attempt to legitimize its occupation of a part of sovereign Ukraine – a sovereign UN Member State. It has been nearly two years since ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 17 March, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
G7 Ambassadors in Ukraine express their serious concerns about the health of Nadiya Savchenko, a member of the Ukrainian Parliament and the Ukrainian Armed Forces, who has been imprisoned in Russia since 2014 and is currently on hunger strike in protest against her detention. G7 Ambassadors call on the Russian authorities to immediately release Nadiya ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 15 March, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
Today, as Russia’s occupation of Crimea enters its third year, we reaffirm our commitment to a united, sovereign Ukraine. The United States does not recognize Russia’s “referendum” of March 16, 2014 or its attempted annexation of Crimea, which violates international law. We remain deeply concerned by the situation in Russian-occupied Crimea, where occupation “authorities” suppress ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 15 March, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
Testimony by Victoria Nuland, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs As prepared Thank you Chairman Corker, Ranking Member Cardin, members of this committee for the opportunity to join you today and for the personal investment so many of you have made in Ukraine’s democratic, European future. Ukraine still has a long way to go ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 15 March, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
President Obama spoke today by phone with President Vladimir Putin of Russia to discuss progress on the implementation of the nationwide Cessation of Hostilities between the Syrian regime and its allies on the one hand and the armed opposition on the other. They discussed President Putin’s announcement today of a partial withdrawal of Russian forces ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 14 March, 2016 | Topics:
President Barack Obama, Press Releases
Joint Press Availability with French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, EU High Representative Federica Mogherini, and Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni FOREIGN MINISTER AYRAULT: (Via interpreter) (In progress) This is a conflict that next Tuesday will be completing its fifth year of existence. Now the intra-Syrian negotiations ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 13 March, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases, Secretary John Kerry
Nadiya Savchenko, a former Ukrainian pilot and current member of Ukraine’s parliament, was abducted in eastern Ukraine on June 17, 2014 and taken across the border to Russia, where she remains detained on baseless charges. Today, in spite of a “dry” hunger strike in which she has not had any food or liquid for nearly ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 9 March, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
Last December, I had the great honor of addressing the Ukrainian Rada. I spoke to them about how, as members of Ukraine’s parliament, they had the opportunity to write a new future for their country. But one Rada member was notably missing that day—Nadiya Savchenko. Instead, her photo hung from the speaker’s podium as a ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 8 March, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
Today, on International Women’s Day, we recommit ourselves to achieving a world in which every woman and girl enjoys the full range of rights and freedoms that is her birthright. Women and girls make extraordinary contributions every day across all fields of human endeavor, including in business, education, sports, art, science, agriculture, parenting, and governance. ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 8 March, 2016 | Topics:
President Barack Obama, Press Releases
I am deeply concerned about the health and welfare of Ukrainian pilot and Rada Deputy Nadiya Savchenko, who since Friday has refused food and water to protest her continued detention by the Russian Federation. In the 20 months since she was captured in eastern Ukraine and taken to Russia, Ms. Savchenko has reportedly endured interrogations, ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 7 March, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases, Secretary John Kerry
Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless, within 90 days prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 2 March, 2016 | Topics:
President Barack Obama, Press Releases
On March 6, 2014, by Executive Order 13660, I declared a national emergency pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701-1706) to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States constituted by the actions and policies of persons that undermine democratic processes ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 2 March, 2016 | Topics:
President Barack Obama, Press Releases
Presenter: General Philip Breedlove, commander, U.S. European Command, and NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe GENERAL PHILIP BREEDLOVE: Last time I was here, I explained the security situation in Europe was rapidly evolving and becoming complex. Even in just these past four months, the situation has grown more serious and more complicated. As I stated in ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 1 March, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
MODERATOR: Good morning everybody, and greetings from the U.S. Department of State. I would like to welcome all of our participants who are dialing in from across Europe this morning, and thank all of you for joining in this discussion. Today we are especially pleased to be joined from Stuttgart, Germany by Major General David Allvin ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 29 February, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
Throughout history, women have driven humanity forward on the path to a more equal and just society, contributing in innumerable ways to our character and progress as a people. In the face of discrimination and undue hardship, they have never given up on the promise of America: that with hard work and determination, nothing is ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 29 February, 2016 | Topics:
President Barack Obama, Press Releases
President Obama spoke today by phone with President Vladimir Putin of Russia at the Kremlin’s request to discuss efforts to establish a nation-wide cessation of hostilities between the Syrian regime and its allies on the one hand and the armed opposition on the other. President Obama welcomed that an understanding was reached between the United ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 22 February, 2016 | Topics:
President Barack Obama, Press Releases
Today, we join the people of Ukraine in honoring the memory of their Revolution of Dignity and those who gave their lives to build a more just, democratic, and European Ukraine. They braved sniper fire and three months in the bitter cold, and Ukraine got a second chance for freedom, justice, and a government that ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 20 February, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
Today the Vice President spoke separately with Prime Minister Yatsenyuk and President Poroshenko of Ukraine. The Vice President sent his respects to the people of Ukraine and their leaders on this second anniversary of the Revolution of Dignity on the Maidan, adding that he was inspired by the progress the country has made. He stressed ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 19 February, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
The Vice President spoke today to President Poroshenko of Ukraine. The Vice President welcomed the passage by the Rada this week of anti-corruption legislation sought by the IMF and EU, and commended President Poroshenko and the government of Ukraine for the hard work that went into ensuring passage. The Vice President also commended President Poroshenko’s ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 18 February, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
QUESTION: So Ukraine president has called on the resignation of prime minister and also the prosecutor general, who have been criticized of getting in the way of fighting corruption. First, I would like to get your stand on this development. Do you think it’s a good move toward reforms? MR TONER: You’re talking about the ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 16 February, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
On 16 February the US Embassy Office of Defense Cooperation organized a ceremony of handing over the US EOD (explosive ordnance) equipment to the SESU (State Emergency Service of Ukraine) in the main HQ building of the SESU in Kyiv. The ceremony was attended by US Assistance Coordinator, Ms. JoAnne Wagner, US Embassy Office of ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 16 February, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
President Obama spoke by phone yesterday with President Vladimir Putin of Russia to discuss the decisions and agreements made at the February 11 meeting of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) and to stress the importance of rapidly implementing humanitarian access to besieged areas of Syria and initiating a nationwide cessation of hostilities. In particular, ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 14 February, 2016 | Topics:
President Barack Obama, Press Releases
SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you, Wolfgang. Thank you very much. Well, Wolfgang, thank you for reminding me that everything I’m doing now is a last. (Laughter.) It’s a little – depending on what I decide to do, so maybe not. (Laughter.) I am really happy to be back in Munich and I’m very happy to share ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 13 February, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases, Secretary John Kerry
Secretary Kerry met today on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. The Secretary reaffirmed the strong support of the United States for full implementation of the Minsk agreement. He urged unity among Ukraine’s leaders, and faster progress on reform and against corruption, especially those urgent steps recommended by the ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 13 February, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases, Secretary John Kerry
Vice President Joe Biden spoke today with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. The two leaders agreed on the importance of making progress on the security and political aspects of the Minsk agreements, and expressed serious concern about the worsening security situation in eastern Ukraine. The leaders also discussed the political situation in Ukraine, agreeing that it ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 11 February, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
The text of the following statement was issued jointly by the Ambassadors to Ukraine of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. Original text as released by Embassy of Sweden is available
here . Begin Text: We are deeply disappointed by the resignation of Minister for Economic Development ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 3 February, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
The Administration today announced an FY2017 Department of Defense funding request of $3.4 billion for the European Reassurance Initiative (ERI). This request, which quadruples last year’s ERI funding level, represents a significant augmentation of our efforts to ensure peace and security in Europe. Over the past two years, the United States has increased military activities ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 2 February, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
Since the start of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine almost two years ago, the United States has taken decisive and sustained steps to assure our allies and bolster NATO’s collective defense capabilities in light of a changing European security environment. Under the European Reassurance Initiative (ERI), we have increased the U.S. military presence in Europe; conducted ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 2 February, 2016 | Topics:
President Barack Obama, Press Releases
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE ASH CARTER: Thanks, David. Appreciate it. And good morning, everyone. Appreciate you being here. It’s a pleasure for me to be — what I understand, David, to be the first secretary of defense to address the Economic Club of Washington. And one of the core tasks for me, and one of my ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 2 February, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Assistant Administrator for Europe and Eurasia Thomas O. Melia and U.S. Department of State Coordinator of U.S. Assistance to Europe and Eurasia Alina L. Romanowski will travel to Ukraine on January 25-29. Their trip will include meetings with Ukrainian officials, civil society leaders and the private sector to discuss ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 22 January, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
The Vice President met yesterday with President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko. The two leaders agreed on the critical importance of the continued implementation of Minsk by all sides of the Ukraine conflict, as well as the need to continue to move forward on Ukraine’s anti-corruption agenda.
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 21 January, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
The following is attributable to Spokesperson John Kirby: Secretary Kerry met today in Zurich with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov to discuss Syria, Ukraine, and other issues of mutual concern. The Secretary and Foreign Minister discussed plans for the UN-led negotiations between the Syrian parties on January 25 and the importance of maintaining progress toward a diplomatic solution ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 20 January, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases, Secretary John Kerry
Today, Assistant Secretary Frank A. Rose participated in a ceremony marking the reestablishment of the Nuclear Risk Reduction Centers’ (NRRC) government-to-government secure communications link between the United States and Ukraine. It is a joint recognition—by the United States and Ukraine—that transparency, trust, and the exchange of information are foundational to all democratic societies. This new ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 19 January, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
Last night at Boryspil International Airport, the United States delivered $23 million in vital military communications and medical equipment to Ukraine. The shipment included $21 million in secure radio equipment to help Ukrainian soldiers communicate effectively without putting themselves in harm’s way, as well as nearly $2 million in battlefield life-saving medical equipment. After clearing ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 17 January, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
President Obama spoke today by phone with President Vladimir Putin of Russia. President Obama emphasized the importance of working towards a diplomatic solution to the crisis in Ukraine through full implementation of the Minsk agreements by all parties. The President underscored that the key next step is for the sides to reach agreement on the ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 13 January, 2016 | Topics:
President Barack Obama, Press Releases
Assistant Secretary for Arms Control, Verification and Compliance Frank A. Rose, will travel to France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Ukraine, Finland, Sweden, Estonia, and Lithuania from January 9-27. From January 10-18, Assistant Secretary Rose will be in Paris, The Hague, Berlin, and Rome for bilateral discussions on arms control, nuclear security, ballistic missile defense, ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 8 January, 2016 | Topics:
Press Releases
Michelle and I wish a blessed Christmas to Orthodox Christians in the United States and around the world. During this holy season, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and pray for peace on Earth. This day gives us a special opportunity to commemorate the contributions of American Orthodox leaders to our progress. It also ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 7 January, 2016 | Topics:
President Barack Obama, Press Releases
CHARGE D’AFFAIRES URBAN: Thank you. To our Ukrainian government colleagues, our Ukrainian Peace Corps representatives, host families and especially to our soon-to-be Volunteers, I wish you good morning on this happy occasion. If I may start on a personal note: I was never a Peace Corps Volunteer, but I’m married to one. So if I ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 22 December, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Today, December 22, 2015, the Verkhovna Rada voted to approve the self-submitted resignation of Member of Parliament Mykola Martynenko. As Ambassador Pyatt noted earlier this month, Martynenko’s decision to resign and submit to the rule of law is yet another sign of a changing Ukraine, in which public officials are accountable to the people they ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 22 December, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
This week, the Rada will vote on several key pieces of legislation, including the 2016 State Budget and amendments to the Tax Code of Ukraine. G7 Ambassadors have followed the process very closely over recent weeks. We commend and fully support the efforts of the Government to achieve a workable deal that is in line with ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 22 December, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
FOREIGN MINISTER LAVROV: (Via interpreter) Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Today, we had a big negotiating day with John Kerry and his delegation finalizing their working visit to Moscow. We started with negotiations at Russian foreign ministry and we continued here in the Kremlin during the meeting with President Putin. Negotiations in the morning and in ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 15 December, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases, Secretary John Kerry
PRESIDENT PUTIN: (Via interpreter) Your Excellency, Mr. Secretary of State, dear colleagues, I would like to cordially welcome you to Moscow. Your Excellency, Secretary of State, we see what efforts you have undertaken in order to settle a number of very urgent problems. And it’s very – even difficult to track all your movements around the ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 15 December, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases, Secretary John Kerry
SECRETARY KERRY: Sergey, thank you very much for arranging this meeting and thank you for your welcome here in Moscow. I agree completely with the agenda you’ve set out. I think it’s the agenda we’ve discussed previously. And I think today is an important day for us to try to make further progress on a number ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 15 December, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases, Secretary John Kerry
Let me first join my colleagues in thanking our briefers: Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson, Assistant Secretary-General Simonovic, Director of Operations John Ging, and Ambassador Apakan. UN and OSCE teams are active on the ground working in extremely difficult conditions, and please express the United States’ gratitude and – I’m sure – the broader international community’s ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 11 December, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Vice President Joe Biden spoke today with Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk about the importance of maintaining Ukrainian political unity and moving forward with essential reforms. The Vice President condemned the attack on Prime Minister Yatsenyuk in the Rada today, calling on Ukraine’s lawmakers to end divisive rhetoric, which only hinders the reforms that the ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 11 December, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Thank you. What a great honor for me to be able to represent my country before such an august audience. Mr. President, Mr. Prime Minister, Mr. Chairman, members of the Rada, ladies and gentlemen, I am deeply honored to be invited to speak to you today at a moment marked by great ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 8 December, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Vice President Joe Biden met today with Ukrainian Rada Speaker Volodymyr Hroysman to discuss economic and government reforms, anti-corruption efforts, and implementation of the Minsk agreements. The Vice President expressed strong support for Ukrainian economic reforms, as welcomed the Speaker’s support for constitutional amendments to reform the judiciary and empower local communities. The two leaders ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 8 December, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
PRESIDENT POROSHENKO: (In Ukrainian, no translation.) VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN: Well, Mr. President, thank you very, very much. Thank you for your hospitality. It’s good to be back in Ukraine. As you pointed out, it’s the fourth time since the Revolution of Dignity two years ago. And I’m always overwhelmed by your warmth and your friendship ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 7 December, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
The United States remains steadfast in its support of the Ukrainian people as they defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity, advance the fight against corruption, implement democratic and constitutional reforms, strengthen the rule of law, restore economic stability and growth, and respond to humanitarian needs. In pursuit of these objectives, Vice President Joe Biden announced ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 7 December, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Vice President Joe Biden met today with reformers in the Rada, civil society, and government. The Vice President and other participants spoke about the importance of anti-corruption, governance, and economic reforms. The Vice President also spoke about the situation in the Donbas, and underscored that the costs on Russia would continue to rise until the ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 7 December, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Vice President Joe Biden met today with Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klychko to discuss bilateral relations, economic and governance reforms, and the conflict with Russia in the Donbas. The Vice President underscored the U.S. commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Vice President also congratulated the Mayor on adopting important police, transparency, and procurement reforms ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 6 December, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
The Vice President has departed for Kyiv, Ukraine, where he will meet with President Petro Poroshenko, Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Ukrainian reformers from both government and civil society, and deliver a speech to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. Please not that all time are approximate and are subject to change. Sunday, December 6, 2015 – ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 6 December, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Tonight, Jews in America, Israel, and around the world come together to light the first candle of the Festival of Lights. At its heart, Hanukkah is about the struggle for justice in the face of overwhelming obstacles. It’s a chance to reflect on the triumph of liberty over tyranny, the rejection of persecution, and on ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 6 December, 2015 | Topics:
President Barack Obama, Press Releases
The following is attributable to Spokesperson John Kirby: Secretary Kerry met today in Belgrade with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin. The two ministers met on the sidelines of the OSCE Ministerial meeting. They discussed ongoing events in eastern Ukraine, to include continued Russian support of separatist elements there. And both stressed the importance of full ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 3 December, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases, Secretary John Kerry
SECRETARY KERRY: Well, good morning, everybody. It’s a pleasure to be back in Brussels and I’m delighted to be here with Secretary-General Stoltenberg and all of my colleagues from across NATO, where, once again, we have come together to affirm our common defense commitment, to affirm our commitment to the solidarity of the alliance, and ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 2 December, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases, Secretary John Kerry
More than three decades ago, the first known cases of HIV/AIDS sparked an epidemic in the United States — ushering in a time defined by how little we knew about it and in which those affected by it faced fear and stigmatization. We have made extraordinary progress in the fight against HIV since that time, ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 30 November, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the continued detention of Nadiya Savchenko, Oleg Sentsov, Oleksander Kolchenko, Stanislav Klikh and all other Ukrainians unjustly held as prisoners and hostages in Russia. We note that on November 24, the Russian Supreme Court upheld the wrongful convictions of Oleg Sentsov and Oleksander Kolchenko. We regret ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 26 November, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
We gather at a time in which combined Russian-separatist forces are ratcheting up the violence in eastern Ukraine; their attacks on Ukrainian positions result in almost daily casualties. In a 12-hour period on Monday and Tuesday of this week, separatists launched 30 provocations, and the SMM has noted the use of heavy weapons supposedly withdrawn ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 26 November, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
GENERAL HODGES: General Pushnyakov, Ambassadors, ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much for the opportunity to be part of this ceremony today. The soldiers that you see in front of you, the equipment that has been provided, the radar, the investment of time and resources into this training center all are a manifestation of the ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 23 November, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Two years ago on a cold November night, a call to action on Facebook by a young journalist sparked a series of events that culminated in Ukraine’s Revolution of Dignity. On the second anniversary of the Euromaidan, the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv has released a special video message reminding viewers around the world about what ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 21 November, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
In response to a request from Ukraine, and as part of our ongoing efforts to bolster Ukraine’s defense and internal security operations, today the United States delivered two AN/TPQ-36 radar systems to Ukraine at a ceremony in Lviv. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko had the opportunity to review the equipment, and was briefed by U.S. military ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 14 November, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Washington, D.C. – Vice President Joe Biden will travel to Ukraine the week of December 7th, 2015. The Vice President will meet with President Poroshenko, Prime Minister Yatsenyuk, members of the Rada, and representatives of civil society organizations. This will be Vice President Biden’s fifth trip to Ukraine since taking office in 2009. More information about ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 13 November, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
KYIV – U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew met separately today with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, and Finance Minister Natalie Jaresko to discuss the economic situation in Ukraine, the ongoing reform efforts, and the international community’s continued solidarity on imposing costs on Russia until it fully implements its commitments under the Minsk Agreements. ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 13 November, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
SECRETARY LEW: Thank you, Prime Minister Yatsenyuk, Finance Minister Jaresko, for your warm welcome here in Kyiv and for welcoming me back for my second visit this year to your country. We had good meetings this morning, both with the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister, but also with members of the Rada. We exchanged ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 13 November, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
KYIV – Prime Minister Yatsenyuk, Finance Minister Jaresko, thank you for welcoming me back to Ukraine and for sharing your views on Ukraine’s economy and the next steps in Ukraine’s reform effort. I have greatly appreciated the hospitality and candid exchange of ideas extended by you and your colleagues. This is my second trip to Kyiv ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 13 November, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Today we join Ukrainians here in America and around the world to remember the catastrophe of the Holodomor, and the millions of innocent Ukrainians who starved to death more than eight decades ago as a result of the brutal policies of Joseph Stalin’s regime. It was the Soviet regime’s deliberate seizure of Ukrainian crops and ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 7 November, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
The United States condemns again in the strongest possible terms the continued detention of Ukrainian citizens Nadiya Savchenko, Oleg Sentsov, and Oleksander Kolchenko by Russia. The United States continues to closely monitor Ms. Savchenko’s trial. We note that Ms. Savchenko’s trial will resume later this month, and we expect that the court will allow her ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 5 November, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Vice President Joe Biden spoke today with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko about implementation of the Minsk agreements, economic reforms, and anti-corruption initiatives. The Vice President congratulated President Poroshenko on the conduct of Ukraine’s local elections, which represent another milestone in the country’s democratic development. The two leaders also discussed the implementation of the Minsk agreements, ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 5 November, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
ACTING ASSISTANT SECRETARY SLOTKIN: Good afternoon. I would like to thank the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine for hosting us today for our Bilateral Defense Policy Consultations, which I co-chaired with the Deputy Minister. These productive high-level talks were an important opportunity to review our defense relationship and set the course for our cooperation into ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 5 November, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Ambassadors Sajdik and Apakan, we welcome you back to the Permanent Council. Your appearance obviously comes at a critical juncture in the implementation of the Minsk agreements. In spite of President Putin’s statements in Paris on October 2, separatists are still threatening to walk away from their political commitments under Minsk and are blocking humanitarian ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 4 November, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine is pleased to announce a call for proposals for the 2016 Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP). Since 2001, the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation has supported over 800 proposals from more than 100 countries, including 13 projects from Ukraine valued at a total of nearly $650,000. The Fund has ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 4 November, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
In order to make my first comment I’d like to tell people that there is a basketball team in New York City, that residents of New York City have a love-hate relationship with because they don’t always deliver the way that their fans would like, called the New York Knicks – some of you may ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 29 October, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
We congratulate millions of people in Ukraine for exercising their right to vote in Sunday’s elections, demonstrating that democracy in Ukraine remains resilient. These elections take on added importance because of the enhanced responsibilities authorities and local governments will inherit as the Ukrainian parliament completes the process of constitutional reform and decentralization. The elections took ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 29 October, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
The United States takes note of the relative calm along the line of contact in eastern Ukraine. Continued progress on the security situation in the Donbas will help facilitate further gains on implementing the political, economic, and humanitarian aspects of the Minsk agreements. The calm that has largely held since September 1 has created space ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 29 October, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
State Department Official: I do have a statement on this, which is that the United States congratulates the people of Ukraine for exercising their right to vote in yesterday’s local elections. According to the initial reports from observers that I think you mentioned, these elections largely reflected the will of the Ukrainian people, and generally ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 27 October, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
SECRETARY PRITZKER: Thank you very much, Mr. Prime Minister, for welcoming our delegation here to Ukraine. I am honored to be here with you. As you said, I’m joined by six executives from American businesses – premiere companies like Cargill, Citibank, Dupont, Honeywell, NCH Capital, and Westinghouse. These business leaders took time from their very ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 26 October, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
We congratulate the people of Ukraine for exercising their right to vote in yesterday’s local elections. Ukraine’s democracy remains resilient, despite facing difficult economic conditions and Russia’s actions in Ukraine, including the occupation of Crimea. According to initial reports from international observers, these elections largely reflected the will of the Ukrainian people and generally respected ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 26 October, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
SECRETARY PRITZKER: Mr. President, thank you very much for your warm introduction and for your warm welcome to our delegation. It’s a pleasure to be back in Kyiv, and I am honored to be with you today. In September 2014, at President Obama’s request, I traveled here to discuss how the United States can support ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 26 October, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Today the United States transferred to Ukraine the first in a series of shipments of broadcast equipment to help improve Ukraine’s technical capacity to broadcast into eastern Ukraine. Deputy Minister for Information Policy Tetyana Popova received three FM radio transmitters on behalf of the Ukrainian Government. The transmitters will be provided to Donetsk TV and ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 23 October, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker will travel to Ukraine from October 26-27 as a continuation of the Obama Administration’s sustained commitment to supporting the Ukrainian government and people, and helping strengthen the Ukrainian economy. The Secretary’s visit continues the high-level engagement launched during her first visit to Kyiv in September 2014 and follows the ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 23 October, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the continued detention of Nadiya Savchenko, Oleksander Kolchenko, and Oleg Sentsov. We have not forgotten them – nor any of the other Ukrainian hostages detained on baseless charges by Russia. The United States remains deeply concerned by serious allegations of mistreatment and abuse of Ukrainian hostages ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 22 October, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
I want to respond to a few of the points made by our distinguished Russian colleague: First, it’s fine for the petty statement that the American ambassador hasn’t read the Minsk agreements to be made. I leave that for him to decide if that is constructive. I would note that our distinguished Russian colleague claimed ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 22 October, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
During the past few weeks, we have heard in the Permanent Council our distinguished Russian colleague call the conflict in Ukraine an “internal” one. Let us recall how we came to discuss this issue in the Permanent Council. On February 27, 2014, men in military uniforms lacking any insignia occupied the Crimean Parliament building in ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 22 October, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
The United States – through the State Department Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Border Patrol – is supporting the Ministry of Interior’s (MOI) initiative to vet, train, and stand up a new SWAT police force. This new tactical police unit will be charged with addressing the complex law ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 16 October, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
The United States today announced nearly $15 million in additional humanitarian assistance to help those affected by the conflict in eastern Ukraine. This brings total U.S. humanitarian assistance to eastern Ukraine since the start of the crisis to nearly $84 million. This new funding—through USAID’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance—will provide emergency shelter assistance to help more than ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 16 October, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
The release today by the Dutch Safety Board of its investigatory report on the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (MH17) over eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014 is an important milestone in the effort to hold accountable those responsible for the shoot-down of the aircraft and the killing of those aboard. This independent investigation ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 13 October, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
As prepared Thank you Chairman Corker, Ranking Member Cardin, members of this committee for the opportunity to join you today and for the personal investment so many of you have made in Ukraine’s democratic, European future. Your bipartisan support, your visits to Ukraine, the assistance you and your fellow members have provided are truly making ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 8 October, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Today the United States announced an additional $7.5 million in life-saving humanitarian assistance for those affected by the conflict in Ukraine, bringing total U.S. humanitarian assistance to Ukraine since the start of the crisis to nearly $69 million. The funding will be used to support efforts by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 30 September, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 301 of title 3, United States Code, I hereby delegate to the Secretary of State: (1) The authority under section 506(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (FAA) to direct the drawdown ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 29 September, 2015 | Topics:
President Barack Obama, Press Releases
Vice President Joe Biden met today with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. The two leaders discussed the implementation of the Minsk agreements and the need for Russia to press the separatists it backs to cancel sham elections in the separatist-controlled parts of the Donbas, which, if held, would be in direct contravention of the Minsk Implementation ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 29 September, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Mr. President, Mr. Secretary General, fellow delegates, ladies and gentlemen: Seventy years after the founding of the United Nations, it is worth reflecting on what, together, the members of this body have helped to achieve. Out of the ashes of the Second World War, having witnessed the unthinkable power of the atomic age, ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 28 September, 2015 | Topics:
President Barack Obama, Press Releases
We condemn the recent decision by Russia-backed separatist leaders in Luhansk, Ukraine, to expel UN agencies and all international nongovernmental organizations providing humanitarian assistance in the area. This will endanger many lives and is contrary to the Minsk agreements. Expelling these organizations puts at risk up to three million people in separatist-held parts of Donbas ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 25 September, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
We are deeply concerned by the decision by the de facto authorities in Luhansk to order international humanitarian agencies, including the ones from the UN, to end operations and to leave the Luhansk area by today, 25 September. The denial of humanitarian access is a violation of International Humanitarian Law. Furthermore, the move contradicts the ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 25 September, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE ASH CARTER: Well, good afternoon, everyone. It’s a real privilege for me today to welcome here at the Pentagon Minister of Defense Colonel-General Poltorak for his first trip to the Pentagon, not his first visit with me. Let me first and foremost, therefore, thank him for his leadership, his fortitude at a ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 24 September, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Kenneth Myers, Director of the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), visited the Ukrainian State Border Guard Service (SBGS) in Kyiv today to oversee the transfer of 8 hydraulic telescopic excavators worth $1.9 million and to inspect other equipment that DTRA has transferred to the Border Guards. The excavators will be used to build defensive ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 23 September, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
MR TONER: Matt, I came in the traditional route. I didn’t want to throw you off today. QUESTION: Thank you. MR TONER: (Laughter.) None of this walking back from – walking in through the regular entrance. Anyway, welcome everybody to the State Department. Happy Tuesday. Very quickly, just one thing I wanted to mention at the top and then ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 22 September, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Thank you, Director Link. Forty years ago, the Helsinki Final Act committed participating States to work together to seek “peace, security and justice” with the objective of “promoting better relations among themselves and ensuring conditions in which their people can live in true and lasting peace free from any threat to or attempt against their ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 21 September, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Just a few points: I think it’s clear that there is a logical sequence that has to happen and we have discussed this before in this chamber. And I think part of what we have heard here – relatively unanimously today – is that progress on the ceasefire, to the extent that it’s durable, moves ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 17 September, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
In connection with the adoption of the Decision for the Extension of Deployment of OSCE Observers to Two Russian Checkpoints on the Russian-Ukrainian Border, the United States would like to make the following interpretative statement under paragraph IV.1(A)6 of the OSCE Rules of Procedure: The United States finds it deeply regrettable that the Russian Federation ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 17 September, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the continued detention of Nadiya Savchenko by Russia. Ms. Savchenko was captured by Russia-backed separatists over a year ago and taken to Russia, where she has remained in prison ever since. On September 15, a court in the Russian city of Donetsk ruled to extend Ms. ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 17 September, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
The United States welcomes the decrease in violence resulting from the supplemental September 1 ceasefire in eastern Ukraine. We must seize this opportunity to consolidate the ceasefire, secure the withdrawal of heavy weapons from the line of contact, achieve complete access for OSCE monitors throughout Ukraine and its international borders, and allow for the delivery ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 17 September, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
“We strongly welcome the Ukrainian parliament’s decisive vote today in support of the debt restructuring agreement between the Ukrainian government and the Ad Hoc Creditors Committee. This agreement will help to improve Ukraine’s public finances, provide the authorities with breathing room to execute their ambitious reform agenda, and strengthen the groundwork for economic recovery. “Today’s ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 17 September, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
“Ukraine’s East and Crimea: Solving the Unsolvable” at the 12th Yalta European Strategy Annual Meeting MODERATOR: Victoria Nuland, if I may just turn to you. Obviously, you work for the State Department. You represent the U.S. Government. I think Ukrainians look at Barack Obama’s policy toward Ukraine and toward Putin and Putin’s strategy in Ukraine ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 12 September, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
September 11 is a date seared into the minds of all of us at the U.S. Department of State and of citizens across America. Together, we honor the memory of the men, women, and children murdered in 2001. And we will never forget those who died three years ago in Libya: Ambassador Chris Stevens, Sean ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 11 September, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases, Secretary John Kerry
On September 10, Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland will travel to Kyiv, Ukraine, to participate in the Yalta European Strategy (YES) Annual Meeting. She will also meet with senior Ukrainian officials, party leaders, and civil society members to discuss a range of bilateral and regional issues. Assistant Secretary Nuland will then ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 10 September, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
[…] I wanted to respond to a few of the points raised by the distinguished Russian ambassador. First, I want to reiterate my delegation’s deep concern with what could be understood from comments of the Russian Federation–and since it was said this time as well as last time the Council met–that somehow the SMM’s reporting ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 3 September, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
While the OSCE was on recess, a Russian military court sentenced Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov to 20 years in prison and Ukrainian activist Oleksander Kolchenko to 10 years in prison In an attempt to justify these sentences, the Russian court relied on unfounded allegations of plotting terrorist attacks and other activities in Russian-occupied Crimea. This ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 3 September, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Over the last few days, we have seen a welcome reduction in violence in eastern Ukraine, as the sides have worked to implement a September 1 ceasefire agreed to at the August 26 meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group. This development follows a sustained surge in attacks by combined Russian-separatist forces in preceding weeks, during ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 3 September, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
The United States welcomes the Ukrainian parliament’s vote on constitutional amendments on decentralization. This action represents an important step toward comprehensive reform of Ukraine’s governance and the empowerment of regional and local authorities. In addition, this vote shows that Ukraine is steadfastly upholding its commitments under the Minsk agreements to adapt governance structures in certain ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 1 September, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
And then lastly, but certainly not least, we welcome today’s vote by Ukraine’s parliament on draft constitutional amendments on decentralization. This is an important step towards good governance for all Ukrainians which also helps fulfill another key piece of the Minsk agreements. We deplore the violence outside the parliament today that reportedly resulted in the ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 31 August, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Vice President Joe Biden spoke today with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko about the situation in the Donbas, Ukrainian political and economic reforms, and implementation of the Minsk agreements. The Vice President congratulated President Poroshenko on reaching agreement with Ukraine’s commercial creditors on debt restructuring, and welcomed news of an agreement among several pro-reform political forces ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 28 August, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
This week marked another reform milestone for Ukraine—the newly trained Patrol Police in Odesa were publicly sworn-in in front of Ukraine’s President Poroshenko, Prime Minister Yatsenyuk, and Minister of Internal Affairs Avakov. The State Department, working through the California Highway Patrol and the Reno and Dayton police departments, supported this training for new and more ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 28 August, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
“We welcome the announcement that the Ukrainian authorities have reached agreement with the creditor committee on debt restructuring terms that are consistent with the objectives outlined in Ukraine’s IMF program. This agreement will help to improve Ukraine’s public finances, provide the authorities with breathing room to execute their ambitious reform agenda, and strengthen the groundwork ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 27 August, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
The United States strongly condemns today’s sentencing in a Russian military court of acclaimed Ukrainian director Oleh Sentsov and activist Oleksandr Kolchenko to 20 and 10 years respectively, on groundless allegations of plotting terrorist attacks and other subversive activities in Russian-occupied Crimea. This is clear miscarriage of justice. Both Ukrainians were taken hostage on Ukrainian ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 25 August, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
We welcome today’s meeting among Chancellor Merkel, President Hollande, and President Poroshenko in Berlin, and their ongoing shared commitment to the full implementation of the Minsk agreements. We remain concerned about violence in eastern Ukraine. Our analysis continues to show, and as I have said before, it is the combined Russian-separatist forces, and not Ukrainian ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 24 August, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I offer my warmest congratulations to the Ukrainian people as you mark the anniversary of your independence on August 24. The United States has been a steadfast partner and friend of Ukraine since your Parliament approved the Act of Independence on this date in 1991. For ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 21 August, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases, Secretary John Kerry
Russian organizers will hold a “Koktebel Jazz Party” August 28-30 in Crimea. Crimea remains Ukrainian territory and this event is being conducted without the permission of the Government of Ukraine. It should not be confused with the official Koktebel Jazz Festival, which will be held in the Ukrainian town of Zatoka, near Odesa, August 23-30. ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 20 August, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
For Nadiya Savchenko, Oleg Sentsov, Oleksander Kolchenko, and other Ukrainian hostages, more than one year has passed in Russian custody. Russia has chosen to ignore its commitments under the Minsk agreements, which calls for the release of all hostages and illegally detained persons. We call on the Russian Federation to honor its international commitments and ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 19 August, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
At the outset, let me thank the Chairmanship for holding this special meeting of the Permanent Council to address the disturbing developments in Ukraine, and Ambassador Apakan for briefing us on the situation. Ambassador Apakan, as you noted, conditions on the ground in eastern Ukraine are more volatile and unpredictable than before. Your characterization of ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 19 August, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Today the United States officially transferred to the Government of Ukraine a $7.6 million dollar expeditionary military field hospital to help enhance the country’s ability to treat soldiers injured in ongoing operations to defend Ukraine’s sovereign territory against aggression by Russian-separatist combined forces in eastern Ukraine. Colonel Carol Northrup, Defense Attaché at the U.S. Embassy ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 18 August, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
A government has no more important task than to protect and defend the fundamental freedoms and human rights of its people. That’s why we were disappointed when this weekend, in Odesa, LGBT activists were denied the opportunity to freely assemble, faced harassment, and had smoke bombs thrown at them for advocating for expanded civil rights ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 17 August, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
The Secretary spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov by phone earlier this morning. The Secretary expressed grave concern about the sharp increase in separatist attacks in Eastern Ukraine, and urged an immediate ceasefire and full implementation of Minsk obligations. On Syria, the Secretary and Foreign Minister Lavrov agreed to continue exploring options for a political ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 13 August, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases, Secretary John Kerry
Prosecutors hold a privileged place in a democratic society. They are entrusted by their people not only to represent the law and enforce it, but to make good on the promise of fairness and equality, and to protect the needs of victims and the rights of all. That’s why the reform of the Prosecutor General’s ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 13 August, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Last fall, the Verkhovna Rada passed a law requiring that Ukraine reduce the number of prosecutors from 18,000 to 12,000. On July 2, the Rada passed amendments to that law requiring that an objective testing process be used to determine which prosecutors would be retained. At the request of the Ukrainian Government, the United States ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 12 August, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today as a Congressional Delegation concluded their visit to Ukraine: “Security has been the central focus of our Congressional Delegation’s meetings in Ukraine – national security, economic security, energy security, and food security. In our conversations with Ukraine’s leaders, we talked about the challenges Ukraine faces ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 6 August, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Nathan Sheets, Treasury Under Secretary for International Affairs Although the ongoing conflict in Ukraine’s east has caught the world’s attention, no less important for Ukraine’s future are the transformative and unprecedented reforms being undertaken by the government in Kiev, as it seeks to arrest the country’s economic crisis and lay the foundation for long-term growth. ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 5 August, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Members of a Congressional Delegation held a press availability today at Maidan Nezalezhnosti, where they placed flowers on a memorial for the Heavenly Hundred who were killed standing up for the rights and freedom of Ukraine’s people. Focused on national, economic, and energy security, the Congressional Delegation met with ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 5 August, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Secretary Kerry met today with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the ASEAN Ministerial in Kuala Lumpur. They discussed the situation in Ukraine and the steps that need to be taken see the Minsk Agreement fully implemented. They also covered the situation in Syria, to include the importance of finding a political ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 5 August, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases, Secretary John Kerry
The Law on National Police signed by President Poroshenko is a significant step forward in strengthening policing and rule of law in Ukraine. We commend the Government, Rada and people of Ukraine on passing this landmark piece of reform legislation, and the many international and civil society partners whose contributions were critical to developing and ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 5 August, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Via Teleconference MS THOMPSON: Good afternoon. Thanks for joining us today. This afternoon we’ll have a discussion on security, law enforcement, and rule of law in Ukraine with Assistant Secretary of State William Brownfield. He is the Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement. This call will be on the record. Assistant Secretary Brownfield ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 4 August, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Action Targets Former Yanukovych Regime Officials, Close Associates, and Crimean Entities; Underscores U.S. Commitment to Maintain the Strength of Existing Sanctions and the Unity of the International Coalition Concerned About Russia’s Activities in Ukraine WASHINGTON – To ensure the efficacy of existing sanctions, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 30 July, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Just before I get into your questions, I just wanted to – a very brief statement at the top to say that we strongly support President Poroshenko’s call to sign an agreement on the withdrawal of heavy weapons under 100 millimeters in caliber in eastern Ukraine, and we urge all sides to implement such an ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 30 July, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you to all the ministers who have traveled to New York for this important session. Shuba Jaya and her husband, Paul Goes, were flying back home from the Netherlands, where they had brought their one-year-old daughter, Kaela, to meet Paul’s parents for the first time. Nick Norris was bringing ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 29 July, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Vice President Joe Biden spoke today with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. The two leaders discussed ongoing U.S. security assistance for Ukraine, Ukraine’s anti-corruption efforts, energy security, and the urgency of seeking justice in the Malaysia Airlines MH-17 tragedy. The Vice President welcomed the recent reform laws that were passed by the Rada and noted the ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 24 July, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
I hadn’t intended to take the floor a second time but since the distinguished representative of the Russian delegation has reiterated a point that runs counter to a fact that was in our statement, I felt the need to respond. It has become a refrain of the Russian Federation to insist that the government of ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 23 July, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
As this is the last meeting of the Permanent Council before the summer recess, it is an appropriate opportunity to take stock of the situation in and around Ukraine, and consider how we can get to a peaceful resolution of the crisis caused by Russia’s aggression against its neighbor. Ten months ago, Russia agreed to ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 23 July, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Vice President Joe Biden spoke today with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. The Vice President congratulated President Poroshenko on the Rada’s decision yesterday to support proposals for constitutional reform and decentralization in accordance with Ukraine’s obligations under the Minsk agreements as well as the Rada’s passage of reform laws in keeping with Ukraine’s IMF and World ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 17 July, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Question: Ambassador Nuland, the main topic in Ukraine this week is not decentralization. You’ll be surprised: it’s the U.S. – Ukrainian Business Forum, the Vice President’s speech. And most Ukrainians – and I’m absolutely certain about it – would like to tell the Prime Minister of Ukraine what the Vice President of the United States ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 16 July, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
MR KIRBY: Okay, I do have just one thing at the top, and then we can get right at it. Today we congratulate the Ukrainian parliament for approving the first vote on draft constitutional amendments on decentralization of powers for local and regional governments, as well as passing legislation necessary for the next IMF disbursement. ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 16 July, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
MR. LALLEY: Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the Ukraine Crisis Media Center. My name is Jonathan Lalley. I’m the Embassy Spokesperson here at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, and I’m delighted that you’re all here for a special on-the-record briefing this evening with Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland. Assistant ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 16 July, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine one year ago, taking the lives of 298 innocent people from 11 countries on July 17, 2014. Our thoughts remain with those who perished, and we join with their friends, families, and loved ones in honoring their memory. As I first said on July 20th ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 16 July, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Ambassador William R. Brownfield, Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), will travel to Prague, Czech Republic, July 18–20, 2015, to participate in the Justice Sector Training, Research and Cooperation Program (JusTRAC) Symposium on Eliminating Corruption and Promoting Economic Development in Ukraine. Assistant Secretary Brownfield will deliver opening remarks at ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 16 July, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Please join us today, Thursday, July 16, at 6:45 p.m. at the Ukraine Crisis Media Center for an on-the-record press conference with Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland. Assistant Secretary Nuland will discuss her current visit, which has included meetings with senior Ukrainian government officials, Members of the Verkhovna Rada, and industry leaders on a broad ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 16 July, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
QUESTION: On Ukraine. MR KIRBY: Sure. QUESTION: President Poroshenko – he referred to the attacks over the weekend, or the clashes between the Right Sector nationalists and the local security forces. He called them an act of terror. He said no political force should have its own militia in the field, referring to the Right ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 15 July, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
NULAND: Good evening, everybody. It’s terrific to be back in Ukraine. We’ll have a fuller opportunity to speak tomorrow after I finish my consultations. I haven’t yet had a chance to sit with the President and the Prime Minister. But I did want to make a brief statement today, because I had the chance over the course ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 15 July, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Yesterday, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker addressed the first-ever U.S.-Ukraine Business Forum. The Forum consisted of a series of high-level discussions focused on advancing Ukraine’s economic reform agenda and improving trade and investment opportunities between the U.S. and Ukraine. Co-hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the forum gathered high-level government and business leaders ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 14 July, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
The United States and Ukraine held its fifth annual Energy Security Dialogue chaired by the U.S. Department of State’s Special Envoy for International Energy Affairs Amos Hochstein and Ukraine’s Energy Minister Volodymyr Demchyshyn on July 14, in Washington DC. The Dialogue covered wide-ranging and in-depth discussions regarding Ukraine’s energy sector. The U.S. delegation included Department ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 14 July, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Catherine A. Novelli and Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Andriy Pyvovarsky signed an Open Skies agreement today in the Treaty Room at the U.S. Department of State. This agreement strengthens bilateral economic ties and facilitates the growth of civil aviation between the United States and Ukraine. It is ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 14 July, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
THE PRESIDENT: Today, after two years of negotiations, the United States, together with our international partners, has achieved something that decades of animosity has not — a comprehensive, long-term deal with Iran that will prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon. This deal demonstrates that American diplomacy can bring about real and meaningful change — ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 14 July, 2015 | Topics:
President Barack Obama, Press Releases
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Thank you, very much, Madam Secretary. (Applause.) Ladies and gentlemen, it’s an honor to be back here at the State Department. (Laughter.) That’s a joke. Press, I know it’s not the State Department. (Laughter.) But more heads of state and Prime Ministers have appeared on this stage lately because they understand that ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 13 July, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
The United States is pleased to welcome Ambassador Apakan to this joint meeting of the Permanent Council and the Forum for Security Cooperation. We remain very impressed with your able leadership of the Special Monitoring Mission. Mr. Ambassador, as we reflect on the SMM’s activities over the past fifteen months, it is striking how many ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 13 July, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Catherine A. Novelli will join Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Andriy Pyvovarsky in signing an Open Skies agreement. The signing will take place on Tuesday, July 14, at 12:00 p.m. in the Treaty Room at the U.S. Department of State. Open Skies agreements promote increased travel and trade, ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 13 July, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
MR KIRBY: Good afternoon, everybody. A couple things at the top here: Today, Deputy Secretary Blinken met with Ukrainian Prime Minister Yatsenyuk. During their meeting, they discussed Ukraine’s reform efforts, U.S. support for Ukraine, prospects for U.S. investment, and of course, the implementation of the Minsk agreements. The Deputy Secretary encouraged continued progress on reforms ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 13 July, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
President Obama dropped by a meeting today between Vice President Biden and Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk of Ukraine. President Obama and Vice President Biden both expressed unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and underscored the U.S. commitment to maintaining sanctions on Russia until it fully implements its obligations under the Minsk agreements. The ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 13 July, 2015 | Topics:
President Barack Obama, Press Releases
DEPUTY SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, good afternoon. It is very good to have Prime Minister Yatsenyuk here at the State Department and in the United States more generally. We had a terrific session this morning with the first-ever U.S.-Ukraine Business Forum and I think we’re all very excited about the huge potential for American companies to do ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 13 July, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
On July 11, we join people of all faiths and nationalities in commemorating the Srebrenica genocide. We mourn the loss of its more than 8,000 victims, and we honor the memory of those only now being laid to rest, and all those still missing. Twenty years ago, Srebrenica was overrun. In the genocide that followed, ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 10 July, 2015 | Topics:
President Barack Obama, Press Releases
Today we mark 20 years since 8,000 people were murdered in the mountains of Eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina. The discovery of that unconscionable crime against humanity–of broken bodies piled in mass graves–shocked the conscience of the world. This anniversary is a powerful reminder of the need to confront evil in all its forms, and to ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 9 July, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases, Secretary John Kerry
GEN ODIERNO: (In progress) We had discussions about the training that is going on here. I also got updates on what’s going on in eastern Ukraine, so I have a better understanding of the facts on the ground. I was very appreciative of the meetings that we had. They were very productive. And I believe ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 8 July, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Thank you, Deputy Secretary General Eliasson, and High Commissioner Zeid, for your powerful presentations. I was a 24-year-old reporter in July 1995 living in Sarajevo when the Bosnian Serbs made their move on Srebrenica. I was there when — a few days after the Srebrenica safe area fell — a colleague first told me about ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 8 July, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Vice President Joe Biden spoke today with Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk. The two leaders discussed Ukraine’s reform agenda and the U.S.-Ukraine Business Forum on July 13th in Washington, DC. The Vice President welcomed the advancement of the constitutional reform process in Ukraine as a means to bring about meaningful decentralization of power in keeping with the ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 2 July, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation called President Obama today. They discussed the necessity of countering ISIL and developments in the Middle East, as well as the situation in Ukraine. President Obama reiterated the need for Russia to fulfill its commitments under the Minsk agreements, including the removal of all Russian troops and equipment ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 25 June, 2015 | Topics:
President Barack Obama, Press Releases
Mr. Chair, Ambassadors, Distinguished Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen, good afternoon. It is an honor for me to be with you today at this Special Session on Ukraine — in this 40th anniversary year since the landmark Helsinki Accords were signed in 1975. Since then, the OSCE has been an indispensable part of European security architecture, ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 23 June, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Today marks one year since Nadiya Savchenko was abducted in eastern Ukraine and smuggled against her will into Russia; one year of her being held hostage; and one year of absolute heartache for her mother, her family and the people of Ukraine. Nadiya has endured relentless interrogations, solitary confinement, and forced “psychiatric evaluation.” She has ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 17 June, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Congressman Engel. Distinguished members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify today. And thank you for being here. Thank you also for your leadership in advancing America’s national security interests and our values in the world. Last week I traveled to Ukraine, where I had the ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 16 June, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
MR KIRBY: Good afternoon, everybody. Thanks for coming today. QUESTION: Welcome. MR KIRBY: Thank you. QUESTION: Even if it is a short appearance. MR KIRBY: I appreciate that. Listen, so it’s my first day at the podium and I kind of figured that I might need some help, so I have asked Secretary Kerry to ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 16 June, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases, Secretary John Kerry
Vice President Joe Biden spoke today with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko about the situation in the eastern part of the country and Ukraine’s reform agenda. The two leaders agreed on the importance of maintaining sanctions on Russia until it fully implements the Minsk agreements, and that additional significant sanctions would be necessary if Russia further escalates ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 12 June, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Dobry den. Thank you all so much for being here. As Tamila said, I represent the United States at the United Nations. The United Nations Security Council, the body whose job it is to address threats to international peace and security, has met 33 times to discuss the crisis in Ukraine since February 2014, when ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 11 June, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Good afternoon. Let me begin by once again thanking Chancellor Merkel and the people of Bavaria and Germany for their extraordinary hospitality here at the G7. My stay here has been extraordinary. I wish I could stay longer. And one of the pleasures of being President is scouting out places that you want ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 8 June, 2015 | Topics:
President Barack Obama, Press Releases
We, the leaders of the G7, met in Elmau for our annual Summit on 7 and 8 June 2015. Guided by our shared values and principles, we are determined to work closely together to meet the complex international economic and political challenges of our times. We are committed to the values of freedom and democracy, ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 8 June, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, it is wonderful to be back with my good friend and partner, David Cameron. I want to congratulate him, as I did over the phone, on his resounding election victory. And I look forward to working with him on a whole host of issues in the coming year. This is going to ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 7 June, 2015 | Topics:
President Barack Obama, Press Releases
MR. EARNEST: Good afternoon, everybody. Welcome to the G7. It’s nice to see you all. I don’t have any announcements at the top. But I’m told that we have the pool who has dialed in from the summit site on the phone, so what I thought I might do is take two or three questions ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 7 June, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
President Obama spoke today with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko about the conflict in eastern Ukraine and the upcoming discussions about Ukraine at the G-7 Summit. The President and President Poroshenko expressed their deep concern about the recent assault by combined Russian-separatist forces across the current line of contact near Donetsk, Ukraine, and once more called ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 5 June, 2015 | Topics:
President Barack Obama, Press Releases
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power will travel to Ukraine next week, from June 10 to 12. In Ukraine, Ambassador Power will meet with senior government officials, parliamentarians, members of civil society, internally displaced persons, monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and students and other young people to discuss ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 5 June, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Thank you, Mr. President, for organizing today’s meeting to speak to the recent developments in eastern Ukraine. And I join others in thanking our briefers, Under Secretary-General Feltman and OSCE Deputy Chief Monitor Hug, for providing the Security Council and the international community with the facts underlying the escalation in violence, which are critical in ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 5 June, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Ongoing attacks by combined Russian-separatist forces on the Ukrainian government side of the ceasefire line, including the town of Maryinka and other locations near Donetsk city, are unacceptable and contravene the Minsk agreements. These attacks have reportedly utilized Grad rockets and other heavy weapons that should have been withdrawn under the terms of the February ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 5 June, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Each year, in June, the United States joins with people around the world in celebrating the work of those who champion protections and support for LGBT persons. These efforts are important – by expanding civil rights and enshrining equal protections, we are working to build freer and more just societies. In too many places, in ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 5 June, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Yesterday was a very sad day, and before starting the bulk of our statement I just wanted to start with a general observation that picks up on Foreign Minister Vella’s closing statement in a way – which is that there is a lot of discussion in this organization about dialogue – and about the value ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 4 June, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
And lastly on Ukraine, we are disturbed by reports, including those from the OSCE that combined Russian-separatist forces launched coordinated attacks overnight against Ukrainian positions near Donetsk – near Donetsk city in Pisky, Luhanske, and Marinka. We are now seeing unconfirmed reports that the town of Marinka may have fallen. These attacks by combined Russian-separatist ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 3 June, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
From the moment our Nation first came together to declare the fundamental truth that all men are created equal, courageous and dedicated patriots have fought to refine our founding promise and broaden democracy’s reach. Over the course of more than two centuries of striving and sacrifice, our country has expanded civil rights and enshrined equal ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 29 May, 2015 | Topics:
President Barack Obama, Press Releases
We are gravely concerned by the significant increase in fighting in eastern Ukraine. Last week’s reports from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) had described lower levels of fighting, but in the last few days the SMM has reported intensive shelling in and around Donetsk airport, Avdiivka, and Shyrokyne. The shelling has come from mortars, ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 28 May, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
The United States joins Ukraine and other participating States in expressing its deep concern over Russia’s continuing detention of Ukrainian hostages who were seized from Ukrainian territory. The seizure and detention of Nadiya Savchenko, Oleg Sentsov, and others contradicts President Putin’s assurance that Russia remains committed to the Minsk agreements. We draw particular attention to ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 28 May, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration Simon Henshaw announced May 23 in Kyiv that the United States is providing $18 million in additional U.S. humanitarian assistance to help those affected by Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine and Crimea. With this new funding, total U.S. humanitarian assistance since the start of ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 27 May, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
The United States warmly welcomes Ambassador Tagliavini back to the Permanent Council. While we very much appreciate your briefings given via video link, it is a pleasure to have you here in person. Thank you very much for your very clear presentation, in particular for laying out what you see from your expert position as ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 27 May, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
As European leaders conclude the fourth EU Eastern Partnership summit today in Riga, Latvia, the United States expresses its strong support for EU efforts to foster closer cooperation and partnership with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. We are committed to supporting further initiatives that promote democracy and good governance, strengthen energy security, fight ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 22 May, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
I’d like to respond to some of the comments made by the distinguished colleague of the Russian Federation. First, I want to take the comment that he offered at the top that he was concerned that our deliberations here resembled an American talk-show. I am not sure whether colleagues find that an insult to participants ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 21 May, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Let me begin by once again thanking the OSCE’s Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine for its critical work under difficult circumstances. The SMM continues to provide a stream of reporting that consistently demonstrates the failure of Russia and the separatists it backs to comply with the commitments they made in Minsk. While Russian leaders claim ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 21 May, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Representatives of many participating States recently underlined the importance of preserving history, learning from it, and honoring victims of horrific episodes in the past by upholding and defending universal human rights today. May 18, 2015, marked the 71st anniversary of the Soviet government’s forcible deportation of more than 230,000 Crimean Tatars from their homeland. Last ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 21 May, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Assistant Secretary Victoria Nuland: Thank you everybody for coming today. I’m completing the last leg on what has been an eight-day trip. I began with Secretary Kerry in Sochi for his meetings with President Putin and Foreign Minister Lavrov. Then, I went on with him to the NATO ministerial in Antalya, Turkey; and then I spent ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 18 May, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Jacob J. Lew released a statement following the signing today of a $1 billion loan guarantee agreement for Ukraine in Kyiv. This marks the second U.S. loan guarantee agreement for Ukraine and underscores the United States’ continued support for Ukraine’s economic reform agenda. “Since we signed our first loan guarantee ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 18 May, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Today, Crimean Tatars mark the 71st anniversary of the Soviet government’s forcible deportation of more than 230,000 Tatars from their homeland. The event has been marked in Crimea every year since the 50th anniversary was commemorated in Simferopol in 1994. This year, however, under Russian occupation, the Tatars have been banned from marking the occasion ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 18 May, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia is a call to action, a plea to stand with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex communities (LGBTI) across the world and reaffirm our commitment to the equality and dignity of all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Discrimination against LGBTI persons must end — ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 16 May, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases, Secretary John Kerry
Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland is in Moscow May 17-18 to meet with senior Russian government officials to discuss next steps in Minsk implementation, following her May 14-16 visit to Kyiv, Ukraine and Secretary Kerry’s May 12 meetings in Sochi, Russia. She will also discuss bilateral issues with Russian officials, and ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 16 May, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Assistant Secretary Nuland: Hello everybody. Thank you for being here. It has been a terrific and extremely busy two days in Kyiv. I have had the chance to see President Poroshenko, Prime Minister Yatsenyuk, Foreign Minister Klimkin, Minister of Finance Jaresko, Speaker Groysman, SBU Chairman Nalyvaichenko, Minister Avakov, a collection of young Rada deputies, the leader ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 16 May, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Richard Stengel will travel May 18-23 to Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine, and Jordan. In Vilnius, Under Secretary Stengel will meet with senior government officials, media representatives, and students. In Riga, he will speak at TechCamp Riga, and meet with senior government officials, media, and civil society representatives. In ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 15 May, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
I just wanted to respond – especially since I was mentioned – to our distinguished Russian colleague’s comments about statistical analysis, and just to remind everyone of the reason why there is so much emphasis placed on access for our monitors, who are there on behalf of all 57 around this table. The reason why ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 14 May, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
I was privileged to brief all of our NATO colleagues on the meetings held yesterday in Sochi with President Putin and Foreign Minister Lavrov. I think there was strong agreement among all of the NATO members that this is a critical moment for action by Russia, by the separatists, to live up to the Minsk ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 13 May, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases, Secretary John Kerry
MODERATOR: (In progress) (Via interpreter) ready to start the press conference. Heads of the foreign policy agencies of the U.S. and Russia. FOREIGN MINISTER LAVROV: Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, thanks a lot for your patience and waiting till the end of all today’s negotiations. Our negotiations took place in (inaudible) the presidential part has just ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 12 May, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases, Secretary John Kerry
Today, May 11, marks the 34th birthday of Ukrainian hostage Nadiya Savchenko, who has been illegally detained for the past eleven months. Ms. Savchenko was seized by Russia-backed separatists in Ukraine in June 2014, and was illegally moved across the border and transferred to Russian custody. The continued detention of Ms. Savchenko defies the provisions ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 11 May, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
With regard to Ukraine, let me just say a couple of things. We stand strongly behind the Minsk agreements, the agreements that were reached last September, and then the implementation plan that was reached a few months ago with France, Germany, Russia, and Ukraine participating. And that is a clear way forward to resolve this ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 8 May, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Seventy years ago today, the Allied Forces declared victory in Europe over tyranny during World War II. After more than five years of brutal fighting that took the lives of some 40 million people across the continent—including six million Jews and millions of others murdered by the Nazi regime—the forces of freedom triumphed over oppression ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 8 May, 2015 | Topics:
President Barack Obama, Press Releases
On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the European Union as you celebrate Europe Day. Over 60 years ago, a handful of war-scarred countries started down a new path that united a continent. You did it not by force of arms, but by free movement of trade, ideas, ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 7 May, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases, Secretary John Kerry
Vice President Joe Biden spoke today with Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk to discuss the situation in eastern Ukraine and Ukraine’s reform agenda. The Vice President congratulated the Prime Minister on a successful international reform conference and encouraged Ukraine to continue implementing economic and rule of law reforms to improve the business climate and attract ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 1 May, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
This past week has brought worrying news of violence in eastern Ukraine, which the Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) reports is at levels of intensity not seen since February. The SMM has also reported on its efforts to negotiate a local ceasefire in Shyrokyne, and to have the sides disengage and pull back from the conflict ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 30 April, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
I have a couple items at the top, so bear with me. First, in the State Department’s Free the Press campaign – and I think we have some photos, hopefully, coming up – we have two cases for today’s Free the Press campaign. The first comes from Russian-occupied Crimea, where de facto authorities have shut ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 29 April, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Marking the first overseas deployment by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) under formal partnership with the U.S. Department of State, the CHP recently collaborated with the Ukrainian Ministry of Interior Affairs (MOI) on a four-week training session for 30 Ukrainian law enforcement officers. The Ukrainian officers will be responsible for training cadets for Ukraine’s brand ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 28 April, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
As delivered President Poroshenko, Prime Minister Yatsenyuk, Rada Chairman Groysman: it’s great to be speaking to you, my old friends, and to the people of Ukraine. I only wish I could be there in person, as I was last April – and again in June—and last November as well. You know, it’s hard to fathom ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 28 April, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
We are deeply concerned by the deteriorating situation in Shyrokyne, where – which is near Mariupol – where the OSCE special monitoring mission reported on April 26th that monitors observed the most intense shelling since fighting began in the area in mid-February – mid-February of this year, that is. Russia-backed separatists continue to shell Ukrainian ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 27 April, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Vice President Joe Biden met at the White House today with Vitaly Klychko, the Mayor of Kyiv, Ukraine. The Vice President and Mayor discussed the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the vital importance of implementing reforms in Ukraine. Mayor Klychko outlined reforms undertaken in Kyiv over the last year to improve transparency in public procurement ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 27 April, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Well, with respect to – with respect to Foreign Minister Lavrov and Ukraine, we did discuss Ukraine. We spent some amount of time on it. There are conversations taking place now about how to proceed to implement Minsk more fully. There are differences of opinion which rose at the last Normandy meeting that took place ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 24 April, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases, Secretary John Kerry
Russia-supported separatists in eastern Ukraine continue to prevent OSCE monitors from doing their jobs by blocking access to large areas of territory under their control. Most recently, yesterday monitors were blocked from entering parts of an area just east of Mariupol, and we applaud the efforts of the OSCE to broker a local ceasefire there. ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 24 April, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Just to point out that this speaks to the need for the Humanitarian Working Group to get launched as soon as possible, and that one of the reasons why it has been agreed – but not implemented – that aid should be both delivered and distributed in line with international standards, is that the ICRC ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 23 April, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
To respond to our Russian colleague’s questions and points: First let me say that I think the fact that our Russian colleague could neither confirm nor deny the presence of Russian air defenses or Russian participation in the training in Eastern Ukraine is progress: because neither confirming nor denying is at least not outright denying ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 23 April, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
Ambassador Apakan, a warm welcome back to the Permanent Council. Thank you for your detailed report, and thank you for the vital work that you and your team are doing. Your visit to the Permanent Council comes at a critical time in the crisis in and around Ukraine. Violence continues to flare at hotspots along ...
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By U.S. Embassy Kyiv | 23 April, 2015 | Topics:
Press Releases
The United States remains deeply concerned about the fate of Ukrainian hostages that Russia and the separatists it backs continue to hold in defiance of the commitments they made in the Minsk agreements and the February 12 Package of Measures. Among these is Nadiya Savchenko, a member of the Verkhovna Rada and o
