U.S. 'Committed' To Ukraine's Integration With West

U.S. Secretary of State Rice (file photo) (RFE/RL) 7 December 2005 -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, in Kyiv today for talks with senior Ukrainian officials, said the United States is "committed to Ukraine's full integration to the international economy and, ultimately, to Euro-Atlantic structures."

Rice, speaking at a joint press conference with Ukraine’s President Viktor Yushchenko, said Washington values Ukraine’s friendship and views it as a strategic partner.

The U.S. secretary of state also expressed concern about draft legislation in Russia that proposes strict regulation of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).

Rice expressed the hope that Russia understands "the importance of NGOs to a stable, democratic environment."

The talks mark the first high-level U.S. visit to Ukraine since last winter's Orange Revolution. Rice also held talks in Germany and Romania on 6 December. She flies to Brussels later on 7 December.

(ITAR-TASS/Reuters/AP)