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Cheney Supports Ukrainian Leader

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The Associated Press

Published: September 6, 2008

KIEV, Ukraine - The United States is committed to Ukraine's security and freedom, Vice President Dick Cheney pledged Friday, suggesting that Russia was posing a "threat of tyranny, economic blackmail and military invasion" to its neighbor.

During a closely watched trip to the ex-Soviet republic, Cheney also repeated that Ukraine would eventually join NATO, despite fierce resistance from Moscow.

The strong words from Cheney - the Bush administration's most visible hawk - signaled that the United States was intent on cultivating closer ties with Ukraine and its neighbors even after Russia showed it was willing to use military force against countries along its border.

"The United States has a deep and abiding interest in your well-being and security," Cheney said after talks with President Viktor Yushchenko. "We believe in the right of men and women to live without threat of tyranny, economic blackmail and military invasion or intimidation."

The show of support was important for Yushchenko's Western-leaning government, which has become increasingly nervous about its relations with Moscow. Yushchenko has pushed strongly for closer ties with the European Union and NATO.

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