Washington: US Vice President Joe Biden promised Ukraine's pro-Western interim leaders "full" US support Thursday as they seek to head off Russian influence.
Biden called interim prime minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk to "welcome the formation of a new government in Ukraine," a White House statement said.
The call came as Ukraine's new leaders issued a blunt warning to Russia against any aggression on the volatile Crimean peninsula.
Dozens of pro-Kremlin gunmen in combat fatigues have seized government buildings in the autonomous republic and anxious Western governments pleaded with Moscow not to escalate tensions.
The country's ousted pro-Moscow president Viktor Yanukovych, meanwhile, emerged defiant from five days in hiding, saying he still considered himself president.
Biden "emphasized that this is an important opportunity not only to bring peace, stability, and unity to Ukraine, but also to restore the faith of all of the Ukrainian people in their country's democratic institutions as they prepare for new elections in May," a White House statement said.
"The vice president reassured the prime minister that the United States will offer its full support as Ukraine undertakes the reforms necessary to return to economic health, pursue reconciliation, uphold its international obligations and seek open and constructive relationships with all its neighbours."
Top US diplomat John Kerry said earlier that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told him that Moscow "will respect the territorial integrity of Ukraine."
Lavrov also insisted Moscow was not behind the storming of Crimean government buildings by dozens of armed pro-Kremlin gunmen, according to Kerry.
The White House also reinforced US warnings to Russia that it must avoid "miscalculations" in military drills along Ukraine's border.
Biden called interim prime minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk to "welcome the formation of a new government in Ukraine," a White House statement said.
The call came as Ukraine's new leaders issued a blunt warning to Russia against any aggression on the volatile Crimean peninsula.
The country's ousted pro-Moscow president Viktor Yanukovych, meanwhile, emerged defiant from five days in hiding, saying he still considered himself president.
Advertisement
"The vice president reassured the prime minister that the United States will offer its full support as Ukraine undertakes the reforms necessary to return to economic health, pursue reconciliation, uphold its international obligations and seek open and constructive relationships with all its neighbours."
Advertisement
Lavrov also insisted Moscow was not behind the storming of Crimean government buildings by dozens of armed pro-Kremlin gunmen, according to Kerry.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Study Abroad: Top Management Universities in Russia PM Modi To Visit Ukraine In August, First Since 2022 Russia Invasion: Sources Russia Working Hard To Reverse "Terribly Low" Birth Rate, Says Kremlin Student Dies, 2 Others Trapped In Delhi Coaching Centre's Flooded Basement At Olympics Opening Ceremony, Drag Parody Of 'The Last Supper' Draws Flak Boyfriend Stabs 20-Year-Old To Death Near Mumbai, Dumps Body In Bushes: Cops Woman Gym Trainer, 21, Killed Inside Delhi Flat Ministers Making Threatening Remarks Against Opposition: Congress MP 2 Students Killed, 13 Injured After Pickup Van Rams Truck In UP Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.