Pompeo visits Kyiv, pledges US support for Ukraine

United States’ secretary of state Mike Pompeo has vowed Washington’s “unwavering support” for Ukraine, who counts on the US for diplomatic support and military aid, along with the aid from EU countries.
Pompeo visited Kyiv on 31 January, where he held talks with president Volodymyr Zelenskiy, as the country battles Russia-backed forces in its Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
“The United States understands that Ukraine is an important country. It’s not just the geographic heart of Europe, it’s a bulwark between freedom and authoritarianism in Eastern Europe,” Pompeo said, and added:”The United States sees that the Ukrainian struggle for freedom, democracy, and prosperity is a valiant one. Our commitment to support it will not waver”.
During Pompeo’s visit, US president Donald Trump is facing an impeachment procedure. He is accused of obstruction of Congress, as well as for abusing the power of the US president’s office by temporarily freezing nearly $400 million in military aid in an effort to pressure Ukraine to open an investigation into his political rival, Joe Biden.
Stressing the continuation of strong bilateral relations between the two countries, Pompeo said he did not believe that the “warm and important relations” between the two countries “have been influenced by the question of the impeachment”.