Durbin in Ukraine to discuss Russia, U.S. support

With the Senate on a break, Sen. Dick Durbin D-Ill. is in Kiev meeting with the Ukrainian prime minister and other top officials “to discuss Western support in the face of Russian military aggression,” his office said on Tuesday.

“America’s relationship with Ukraine has never been more important,” said Durbin in a statement.

“Ukraine’s leaders are focused on key reforms to modernize the economic, security, judicial, and energy sectors — all while fighting the illegal seizure of Ukrainian territory by Russian-backed separatists. We have discussed ongoing Russian violations of the Minsk II ceasefire agreement — including ongoing fighting in disputed areas. It’s important that the international community holds President Putin’s regime to account and rejects these threatening Russian actions.”

On Tuesday, his office said, “Durbin will visit the Yavoriv training area where 300 United States Army personnel are training Ukrainian National Guard personnel. He will then continue on to Lithuania and Poland.” Durbin is of Lithuanian descent.

In Washington, President Barack Obama is meeting with the NATO Secretary General to, among other items, discuss “the impact of Russia’s actions on the European security environment,” the White House said.