It is good to be in Kyiv today, and I want to thank Finance Minister Jaresko for welcoming me to Ukraine. Ukraine’s struggle for independence and peace over the past year has been tremendously challenging. The ongoing military offensive against various cities and towns in eastern Ukraine being carried out by Russia-backed separatists is just ... Read More»

Thanks, Fiona, for that introduction and thanks to Brookings for the warm welcome. My congratulations to all of you for being ranked number one think tank for the eighth year in a row. I am not at all surprised that the Brookings streak corresponds almost directly with the tenure of Strobe Talbott as President. It ... Read More»

We have just held an extraordinary meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission. The meeting was held at Ukraine’s request. We condemn the sharp escalation of violence along the ceasefire line in eastern Ukraine by Russia-backed separatists. This comes at great human cost to civilians. We express our condolences to the Ukrainian people for these tragic losses. ... Read More»

Vice President Joe Biden spoke today with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko about the situation in eastern Ukraine. The Vice President condemned the attacks and violence in eastern Ukraine initiated by Russia-backed separatists who have launched a military offensive against various cities and towns in the region. The Vice President and President Poroshenko expressed grave concern ... Read More»