Ukraine’s greatest challenge remains the Russian occupation of the Crimean peninsula and the restoration of sovereignty in the eastern Donbas region through full implementation of the September 2014 and February 2015 Minsk agreements, according to a top U.S. diplomat.
Assistant U.S. Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia Victoria Nuland says these agreements remain the best hope for peace in eastern Ukraine. She told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Tuesday the United States is continuing to work in close coordination with Ukraine, Russia, Germany, and France to see them fully implemented.
FILE - In this July 9, 2014 photo, Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington.
Living up to Maidan revolution
Nuland said Ukraine’s government and parliament must come together behind reform program that delivers what the Maidan Revolution demanded - clean leadership, justice, an end to backroom deals, and public institutions that serve Ukraine’s citizens rather than impoverishing or exploiting them.
The ability of the United States and the international community to continue to support Ukraine depends upon the commitment of its leaders to put their people and country first, she said.
All those who call themselves reformers must rebuild consensus in support of aggressive measures “to clean up corruption, restore justice and liberalize the economy,” she added.