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Ukrainian Security Service officers detain Major General Valeriy Shaytanov on suspicion of high treason and terrorism in Kyiv on April 14.
Ukrainian Security Service officers detain Major General Valeriy Shaytanov on suspicion of high treason and terrorism in Kyiv on April 14.

Ukraine Live Blog: Zelenskiy's Challenges (Archive)

An archive of our recent live blogging of the crisis in Ukraine's east.

10:54 31.1.2020

10:52 31.1.2020

Here's an updated story from our news desk on Pompeo's visit to Kyiv:

Pompeo Assures Kyiv Of 'Full Support' Against Russian Aggression

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (right) and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrive to attend a joint news conference in Kyiv on January 31.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (right) and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrive to attend a joint news conference in Kyiv on January 31.

Ukraine says the United States has reiterated its "full support" to restore the country's "territorial integrity" as Kyiv battles Russia-backed forces in a deadly war in its easternmost regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.

"Michael Pompeo assured that Ukraine has the full support of the United States in stopping Russia's aggression and restoring Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity in full," Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on January 31 after the country’s top diplomat, Vadym Prystayko, met U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

In Kyiv, Pompeo is also set to have talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and other top Ukrainian officials during the trip as Washington looks to show its backing for Ukraine.

Along with aid provided by European countries, Kyiv counts on Washington for diplomatic support and military aid to buy Javelin anti-tank missiles and other hardware in the conflict.

Pompeo is the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit Ukraine since lawmakers in Washington began the impeachment process of President Donald Trump.

Democrats accuse Trump of abusing his power of office by pressuring Ukraine to investigate his political rival by withholding congressionally approved military aid and a highly desired invitation to the White House for Zelenskiy.

It

The visit also comes days after Pompeo reportedly asked an NPR journalist in anger, “Do you think Americans care about Ukraine?”

Prior to meeting with Prystayko, Pompeo attended a ceremony honoring those who have died in the nearly six-year war in eastern Ukraine that has killed more than 13,000 people since April 2014. Russia also seized and annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula on March 2014 in a move not recognized by the international community.

Pompeo also underscored the importance of continued strong bilateral relations between the two countries, according to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.

"At the same time, the U.S. side emphasized the importance of maintaining the high dynamics and effectiveness of reforms in Ukraine," it said.

Two-way trade between the United States and Ukraine reached nearly $4 billion in 2018, with particularly high volumes in mineral fuels, vehicles, iron and steel, and agricultural products.

Pompeo, who began his regional tour in London, will also travel to Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.

10:35 31.1.2020

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10:27 31.1.2020

10:25 31.1.2020

That was quick

10:24 31.1.2020

Other news

10:23 31.1.2020

Something to read later (after the Pompeo-Zelenskiy media event)

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