BBG Watch Commentary
UPDATE: Later in the day, VOA added the name of Gabe Joselow as a byline to its report, so it appears that it had a staff reporter on the scene, although as the East Africa Bureau Chief for Voice of America, he is not a regional expert. Also much later in the afternoon (Washington time, late night Kyiv time), VOA posted a video report from Kyiv by Gabe Joselow. Although it is an interesting report on general political situation in the country, there have been many such reports from VOA and other Western media. There was not a word in the video report (as of 7:45 PM EDT Saturday) about the visit to Ukraine of Vice President Joe Biden and the U.S. congressional delegation. It is fair to say that a VOA English News staff reporter did not cover Vice President Biden’s visit to any significant degree and had nothing on it in his video report or in his separate audio report for VOA English News as heard at 7:00 PM EDT.
VOA editors inserted into the VOA worldwide English radio newscast heard at 7:00 PM EDT a poor-quality audio actuality of Vice President Biden discussing U.S. economic aid for Ukraine. There was no VOA English News coverage of any other aspects of Biden’s visit or the visit of the bipartisan congressional delegation. No video, no interviews, no good quality audio, no photos, no retweets — no multimedia coverage at all for the web.
U.S. taxpayer-funded Voice of America (VOA) apparently did not send a staff reporter from Washington with Vice President Joe Biden to Ukraine to cover his visit and the inauguration of President Petro Poroshenko, but found enough money for VOA Director David Ensor to travel at the same time to attend an international conference in Poland (which VOA failed to cover even though it was attended by VOA Director) and to continue his trip today to Kyiv.
In a highly confrontational meeting on Tuesday, Voice of America editors who told David Ensor that they do not have enough news material for their broadcasts and for the web. One VOA staffer told Ensor “nobody believes anything management has to say anymore,” as he complained that the VOA Newsroom is unable to provide timely news and broadcast content due to severe staff shortages and mismanagement by senior executives. VOA Director then flew at U.S. taxpayers’ expense to an international gathering in Wroclaw, Poland.
Director Ensor’s European trip could have paid for an experienced VOA reporter who is an expert on the region, perhaps someone who in addition to English can also file in Russian and / or Ukrainian, if such such reporters can still be found at VOA, to travel with Vice President Biden to Ukraine on his plane.
READ: Voice of America Director Ensor at Atlantic Council international event in Poland not covered by VOA, BBG Watch, June 7, 2014.
Even after Vice President’s plane had already left Kyiv, VOA English news website still had nothing about the details of his vist other than reporting that he had attended the inauguration ceremony for President Poroshenko. There was no multimedia content from VOA on Biden’s stroll through Kyiv’s streets and crowds shouting “thank you” and “USA” as Biden was walking with Senator McCain with other members of the U.S. delegation behind them.
Had VOA sent a staff correspondent on Biden’s plane, it would have been forced to report on the trip in some greater detail. We believe it did not. If it did, it was certainly not reflected in today’s VOA reporting from Kyiv, especially in its video report which had absolutely no mention of Biden’s visit.
Germany’s Deutsche Welle (DW) video report from Poroshenko’s inauguration showed Vice President Biden twice. DW also showed an on camera interview with German President Joachim Gauck. A VOA reporter on the scene did not even mention Vice President Biden by name or noted his presence in Kyiv.
Vice President Biden’s tweet and photo from visit to Kyiv today not used by VOA English News
VP Biden and newly inaugurated President Petro Poroshenko of #Ukraine chat earlier today in Kyiv. pic.twitter.com/6M04FPogXA
— Vice President Biden (@VP) June 7, 2014
Senator McCain’s tweet and photo from visit to Kyiv today not used by VOA English News
Vice President Biden ditched the motorcade and opted to walk with Senator McCain to an inaugural reception in Kiev. pic.twitter.com/7sNrRX4WTq
— Colleen Nelson (@ColleenMNelson) June 7, 2014
Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), which like VOA is also overseen by the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) posted on its English language website a short video from the inauguration ceremony. Unlike VOA, RFE/RL, however, is not required to report extensively on U.S. related news, such as the visit to Kyiv of Vice President Biden and the U.S. congressional delegation.
As VOA director travels around Europe and VOA has no resources to report in more detail on Biden’s meetings with East European leaders, RFE/RL did some of the work in this English language report, “Biden Meets Moldovan, Georgian Leaders In Kyiv – RFE/RL.” But RFE/RL does not have the same kind of worldwide English language and foreign language distribution or a specific mandate to provide such U.S. news as VOA does.
There was much more to the Biden’s visit than what Voice of America eventually reported with a considerable delay — not in a separate report from its own staff correspondent, but from the White House Press Office material, which VOA added in the middle of a report that was filed much earlier, apparently by a VOA English News stringer in Kyiv. The material about Vice President Biden was not added until he had already left Ukraine. [What we thought initially was a stringer report, because there was no byline, turned out to be a report by the East Africa Bureau Chief for Voice of America who was in Kyiv but who did not cover Vice President Biden’s and U.S. congressional delegation’s visit in any detail and failed to even mention it in his video report.]
There was no multimedia content on the VOA English news website [until afternoon Washington time; late night Kyiv time]: no video, audio, or photos of Biden and members of the U.S. Congress in the Ukrainian capital today.
VOA English News did not report at all on Vice President Biden’s meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk and his separate meeting with President Poroshenko. VOA also did not report that Biden spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper about supporting a democratic, united Ukraine.
VOA English News did not report on the details of Vice President Joe Biden’s meeting with Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili and his meeting with with Moldovan President Nicolae Timofti.
VOA English News also did not report details of today’s White House announcements of additional U.S. assistance to Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova. Vice President Biden’s meetings with President Poroshenko, Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili and Moldovan President Nicolae Timofti and the announcement of additional U.S. aid were covered by VOA English News in only two short sentences. Vice President Biden’s visit in Kyiv today did not receive its own headline on the VOA English news website, but it was covered in separate reports with photos by VOA’s Ukrainian and Russian services. The coverage of Vice President Biden’s visit by these two VOA language services, however, was also limited because they have not been given sufficient resources by the senior Voice of America management and the International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB).
This is what VOA English News eventually reported on Vice President Biden’s visit to Kyiv after his plane had already departed Ukraine. This was not a separate VOA news report but an add-on to a much earlier report.
VOA ENGLISH NEWS:
U.S. shows support
Biden pledged millions of dollars in additional U.S. aid to Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia on Saturday. The extra aid, which must be approved by Congress, includes $48 million to Ukraine, $8 million to Moldova and $5 million to Georgia. It was announced after Biden met the presidents of the three countries on the sidelines of Poroshenko’s inauguration.
Biden led a U.S. delegation that included Geoffrey Pyatt, the ambassador to Ukraine, Victoria Nuland, assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, and several members of Congress.
After the inauguration, Biden passed up a motorcade to stroll a couple of blocks to a presidential reception at St. Sophia cathedral. He set off with U.S. Sen. John McCain, soon joined by the rest of the delegation.
As they walked, crowds lined the way. Some people applauded and yelled “thank you” and “USA.”
At St. Sophia, Poroshenko stood outside the reception on a red carpet, flanked by Ukrainian flags. He and Biden spoke quietly for a couple minutes before posing for photos. McCain came next, greeting Poroshenko with a hug.
Sens. Chris Murphy and Ron Johnson and Rep. Marcy Kaptur greeted Poroshenko together. “It’s wonderful to stand with you,” Murphy told the new president.
Even Voice of Russia offered a more substantive report on the actual meeting between Biden and Poroshenko under the headline: “Ukraine, US will be good partners – Poroshenko,” Voice of Russia:
VOICE OF RUSSIA: Ukraine and the United States “will be good partners in the future,” Ukrainian President Petr Poroshenko said during a meeting with US Vice President Joe Biden, who had been present at the Ukrainian leader’s presidential inauguration in Kiev earlier on Saturday. “I’m sure that we will get a new country, which will be free, democratic and European,” Poroshenko said, according to Interfax.
He expressed gratitude for the US supporting Ukraine’s efforts to integrate with the European Union and restore peace in the east of the country. Biden said that today there is a chance of achieving peace in eastern Ukraine. He also said it takes political courage to take unpopular but necessary steps.
Russia’s RT had a separate report on the announcement of U.S. aid for Ukraine with references to Vice President Biden’s visit to Kyiv. RT provided much more information on the U.S. aid package than VOA did and provided a link to the White House statement.
SEE: US announces ‘additional’ $48 mln assistance for Ukraine, RT, June 7, 2014.
Russia’s RT’s main report on Poroshenko’s inauguration, “Poroshenko sworn in, but can he steer Ukraine away from abyss? – RT” included video showing Vice President Biden and references to his visit, while VOA English News video did not.
This is what additional information was available to the Voice of America if it chose to use it. VOA failed to use most of it and did not have a correspondent with Vice President Biden while paying for VOA Director David Ensor’s trip to Europe at the same time.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Vice PresidentFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 7, 2014FACT SHEET: U.S. Assistance to Ukraine
The United States is committed to supporting Ukraine’s democratic reforms, economic development, and sovereignty and territorial integrity. Following Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko’s discussions with President Obama on June 4 in Warsaw, Vice President Joe Biden announced on June 7 an additional $48 million in assistance to help the Ukrainian Government conduct key reforms, build law enforcement capacity, and strengthen national unity. Pending consultation with the U.S. Congress, this assistance will follow the $1 billion loan guarantee signed on April 14, a $50 million crisis-response package announced by Vice President Biden on April 21, and $23 million in security assistance announced to date. When added to previously budgeted funds, the United States is providing over $184 million in assistance to Ukraine this year in addition to the loan guarantee.
The United States’ $48 million assistance package will:
· Support Ukraine’s efforts to carry out the reforms needed to make its IMF and World Bank programs a success and place the country on a path towards economic growth.
· Assist with constitutional reforms, decentralization, and confidence-building measures that enhance national unity, particularly in the East and South.
· Strengthen Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service.
· Bolster efforts of the government, civil society, and the private sector to fight corruption.
· Help Ukraine diversify its trade and enhance its energy security.This package will build upon previously announced U.S. assistance tailored to help Ukraine through this crisis.
· The $1 billion U.S. loan guarantee has enabled the Ukrainian Government to access affordable financing from international capital markets. This is strengthening its ability to protect its most economically vulnerable citizens from the impact of necessary economic adjustments, such as by supporting expansion of the social safety net.
· The $50 million crisis-response package is geared to helping Ukraine stabilize its economy, conduct democratic elections, combat corruption, and recover stolen assets.
· $23 million in U.S. security assistance provides equipment and materiel for the Ukrainian Border Guard personnel and Armed Forces.
· The United States also has contributed funding and personnel to the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission working to reduce tensions, provide neutral and accurate reporting on the situation on the ground, and foster peace, stability, and security.These targeted activities complement long-term U.S. assistance programs designed to support systemic reforms and build institutional capacity across a range of sectors.
#
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Vice PresidentFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 6, 2014Vice President Biden Travels to Ukraine
The Vice President has departed for Kyiv, Ukraine, for the inauguration of President-elect Petro Poroshenko. While in Kyiv, the Vice President will attend the inauguration ceremonies together with the other members of the President’s delegation: Senators John McCain, Ron Johnson, and Chris Murphy; Representative Marcy Kaptur; Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland; and Ambassadors Dan Baer and Geoff Pyatt. The Vice President will have separate meetings with President-elect Poroshenko and Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk to discuss the Ukrainian government’s agenda for democratic reform, economic development, and de-escalation of the crisis in the eastern part of the country. He will also meet with Moldovan President Nicolae Timofti to discuss developments in the region.
Please note all times are approximate and are subject to change.
Saturday, June 7 – Kyiv, Ukraine
At 9:00 AM LOCAL TIME/2:00 AM ET, the Vice President will arrive in Kyiv at Boryspil International Airport. The Vice President’s arrival is open press.
At 10:00 AM LOCAL TIME/3:00 AM ET, the Vice President will attend the inauguration of President-elect Petro Poroshenko at the Rada.
In the afternoon, the Vice President will travel to St. Sophia of Kyiv National Preserve to attend a reception in honor of President-elect Poroshenko. The Vice President’s arrival at 12:30 PM LOCAL TIME/5:30 AM ET is open press. The reception is closed press.
At 2:15 PM LOCAL TIME/7:15 AM ET, the Vice President will hold a bilateral meet with President Nicolae Timofti of the Republic of Moldova at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. There will be a pool spray at the top of this meeting.
Afterwards, the Vice President will hold a restricted meeting with Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk at the Cabinet of Ministers Club. This meeting is closed press. At 3:30 PM LOCAL TIME /8:30 AM ET, an expanded meeting will follow with the Vice President and Prime Minister Yatsenyuk. There will be a pool spray at the top of this meeting.
At 4:15 PM LOCAL TIME/9:15 AM ET, the Vice President will hold a bilateral meeting with President-elect Poroshenko at the Presidential Administrative Building. There will be a pool spray at the top of this meeting.
Afterwards, the Vice President will depart Kyiv, Ukraine, en route Wilmington, Delaware, where he will remain through the weekend.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Vice PresidentFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 7, 2014FACT SHEET: U.S. Assistance to Moldova
Moldova has worked hard to build democratic institutions and a prosperous economy, as well as to ensure its sovereignty and security. The United States has provided assistance to Moldova in these efforts. As Moldova prepares to sign an Association Agreement and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with the European Union on June 27, 2014, the United States has targeted programs to help Moldova advance its European aspirations.
Vice President Joe Biden announced during his meeting with Moldovan President Nicolae Timofti on June 7 an additional $8 million in assistance to Moldova, pending consultations with the U.S. Congress. This assistance will support Moldova’s European choice and mitigate vulnerabilities to external pressure.
This package will build upon $2.7 million in U.S. assistance announced on March 3, which is helping Moldovan businesses to increase productivity and competiveness, and ensuring that they are better positioned to take advantage of European markets, as Moldova and the EU develop closer economic ties. When added to funds previously budgeted, the United States is providing approximately $31 million in assistance to Moldova this year.
Since 1992, the United States has provided approximately $1.2 billion in assistance to Moldova, including a five-year, $262 million Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact launched in 2010.
U.S. assistance to Moldova:
· Improves governance, increases transparency and accountability, strengthens the rule of law, combats corruption, facilitates informed citizen participation, strengthens independent media and supports the implementation of anti-discrimination legislation;
· Promotes economic growth by reducing barriers to trade, improves the business environment, and increases productivity and competitiveness;
· Supports municipalities with energy efficiency plans; and supports Moldova as a member of the Energy Community;
· Enhances civic and economic ties between citizens in Transnistria and the rest of Moldova, underscoring the U.S. commitment to peaceful reintegration;
· Builds the capacity of Moldovan law enforcement;
· Supports Moldova’s capacity to effectively participate in international peacekeeping operations and promotes the professionalization of Moldova’s armed forces; and
· Encourages reforms necessary for European integration.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Vice PresidentFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 7, 2014FACT SHEET: U.S. Assistance to Georgia
The United States is a strong supporter of Georgia’s democratic and economic development, as well as of its efforts to enhance security and resist external pressure. In support of these objectives, Vice President Joe Biden announced in his meeting with Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili on June 7 an additional $5 million in assistance to Georgia, pending consultations with the U.S. Congress. This assistance will help individuals affected by Russia’s “borderization” of the Administrative Boundary Lines (ABLs) of Georgia’s occupied territories, increase access to independent information in the region, promote national unity, and help the Government of Georgia conduct key reforms to strengthen justice sector institutions. This follows the $1.5 million ABL assistance that was announced by Secretary of State Kerry at the U.S.-Georgia Strategic Partnership meeting on February 26, 2014. When added to funds previously budgeted, the United States is now providing approximately $65 million in assistance to Georgia this year.
The United States’ $5 million assistance package will:
· Help affected individuals along the ABLs through approximately 40 small infrastructure projects that will rehabilitate potable water systems, irrigation channels, drainage and village roads, benefiting up to 4,000 households;
· Support new means of income generation for at least 2,000 vulnerable households along the ABLs through vocational training, access to finance, and microenterprise assistance;
· Increase access to objective information by populations in the occupied territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia;
· Help the Ministry of Justice establish an inspectorate responsible for monitoring compliance with and enforcing Georgia’s new anti-discrimination law, a requirement of Georgia’s Visa Liberalization Action Plan with the European Union; and
· Support efforts to promote national unity such as public awareness, education, and youth activities related to tolerance and diversity.
These targeted activities complement long-term U.S. assistance programs designed to support systemic reforms and build institutional capacity across a range of sectors:
· The United States provides assistance that strengthens the rule of law by increasing judicial sector capacity and improving legal education and representation;
· U.S. assistance promotes democracy and good governance by helping public agencies carry out transparent and inclusive decision-making processes, supporting civil society, increasing citizens’ access to information, and supporting democratic political competition;
· U.S. assistance boosts broad-based economic growth by helping enterprises expand their businesses, diversifying markets, promoting women’s access to credit, and strengthening Georgia’s intellectual property rights enforcement and compliance with World Trade Organization requirements; and
· The United States assists the Georgian Government’s efforts to lay the groundwork for a sustainable resolution of the conflicts that respects Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.#
VP Travel Pool Report #3 — Inauguration Ceremony: Vice President Joe Biden’s motorcade arrived at the Verkhovna Rada just in time for the 10 a.m. inauguration of President-elect Poroshenko.
Representative Marcy Kaptur and U.S. Ambassador to the Ukraine Geoffrey Pyatt also attended the inauguration.
The ceremony was held in parliament’s chambers, which held just a few hundred people. Guests wore business attire for the morning event, and the choir and band were clad in traditional costumes. The chamber was adorned with wood paneling, marble columns and a giant crystal chandelier.
Your pooler could not see Biden during the inauguration. The ceremony included the national anthem, Poroshenko’s oath of office and other songs, readings and speeches. No translation was provided, so details are scarce. Members of the Ukranian military marched into the chamber and presented artifacts on red velvet pillows to Poroshenko.
After taking the oath of office, Poroshenko delivered a forceful sounding speech — again, no translation was provided. The ceremony lasted a little less than an hour.
The vice president’s office reports that while attending the inauguration, Biden spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper about supporting a democratic, united Ukraine.
After the inauguration, the vice president’s motorcade made the short drive to the Hyatt. Biden has a brief break before this afternoon’s meetings with Ukranian leaders.
Colleen McCain Nelson
The Wall Street Journal
VP Travel Pool #4 — Reception: Up next on Vice President Joe Biden’s agenda was a reception honoring President Poroshenko. The motorcade was lined up outside the Hyatt, ready to take the vice president the short distance to St. Sophia cathedral. But at the last moment, Biden called an audible and decided to stroll a couple blocks to the reception.
Biden set out with Sen. John McCain, and both appeared quite pleased to be walking the streets of Kiev. The rest of the U.S. delegation soon joined them. Along the way, crowds lined the street. Some people applauded and yelled “thank you” and “USA” to the vice president.
St. Sophia is a striking landmark, with its gold domes and a tiered bell tower on the grounds. Biden and the delegation walked the red carpet leading into the bell tower. Upon reaching the tower, Biden quickly began greeting everyone he encountered. “How are you? You’re a handsome boy. I’d like to borrow that tie,” he told a young boy. He said hello to several officials and introduced McCain, saying, “You know my friend the senator.”
Poroshenko stood outside the reception on another red carpet, flanked by Ukranian flags. Biden strode quickly to him saying, “Mr. President, congratulations.” The two spoke quietly for a couple minutes before posing for photos. McCain came next, greeting Poroshenko with a hug.
Sens. Chris Murphy and Ron Johnson and Rep. Marcy Kaptur greeted Poroshenko together. “It’s wonderful to stand with you,” Murphy told the new president.
The reception is in progress and is closed press.
Colleen McCain Nelson
The Wall Street Journal
VP Travel Pool #6 — Bilat with Prime Minister: Vice President Biden’s motorcade departed the Hyatt and made its way to the Cabinet of Ministers Club for a meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk.
As the pool was ushered in to the meeting room, Biden was in the middle of joke, suggesting that Yatsenyuk had selected his blue and gold tie because those are the University of Delaware’s colors.
The two leaders sat down and Biden said, “it’s good to be here again. Thank you.” He added, “I always learn something.
Biden reported that the two had a great conversation and Yatsenyuk jumped in, saying, “about the future of my country. It will be very successful.”
After about a minute, the pool was ushered out.
The vice president’s office says the members of the U.S. Delegation joining the vice president at the bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk included:
Jake Sullivan, National Security Advisor to the Vice President of the United States
Victoria Nuland, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs
Geoffrey Pyatt, U.S. Ambassador to the Ukraine – CONFIRM
Daniel Baer, U.S. Ambassador for the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe
Mike Carpenter, Special Advisor for Europe and Eurasia, National Security Council
Lyn Debevoise, Director for Eastern Europe, National Security Council
Members of the U.S. delegation for today’s first bilat meeting included:
Jake Sullivan, National Security Advisor to Vice President Biden
Victoria Nuland, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs
Daniel Baer, U.S. Ambassador for the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe
Mike Carpenter, Special Advisor for Europe and Eurasia, National Security Council
Lyn Debevoise, Director for Eastern Europe, National Security Council
Colleen McCain Nelson
The Wall Street Journal
VP Travel Pool Report #7 — Bilat with Poroshenko: Vice President Biden’s motorcade made a very short drive from the Cabinet of Ministers Club and soon arrived at the Presidential Administrative Building for a meeting with President Petro Poroshenko.
The bilat was held in an ornate room, heavy on gold accents and crystal chandeliers. The small delegations were seated together, taking up just a sliver of an impressively long table. Poroshenko arrived first and greeted Biden when he walked through the door. Biden told him it was a great day for Ukraine and “a great day for you.”
Poroshenko offered brief remarks, but he spoke very quietly and directly to Biden. Despite the pool’s best efforts to inch closer, lean over the velvet rope and ask for the air conditioning to be turned down, Poroshenko’s comments were mostly inaudible to the reporters in the room. Speaking about his election, Poroshenko said that Ukraine had never been so united, had never been so Ukrainian and said the people had never been so decisive. Poroshenko repeated his commitment to sign the EU Pact, and he said that Ukraine would build a democracy.
Biden enthusiastically delivered his remarks for the whole room to hear, saying that it was an honor to be here for the inauguration and again congratulating Poroshenko and the Ukrainian people. He said that he and President Barack Obama are enthusiastic about the prospects for the country.
Biden said that the White House has long made clear that “every nation in Europe has a right to choose with whom they will associate.”
“No one has a right to interfere with that,” he said.
Biden called Poroshenko’s inauguration speech impressive, “but the substance was more important than the delivery.” He told Poroshenko that the only way a country can be great is if it’s totally integrated.
Biden said that after his last visit to Ukraine, he made a bet that Poroshenko would win the election. He briefly interrupted himself to tell the reporters that he had not put money on this. Biden said that Poroshenko had made clear to him — and apparently to the people of Ukraine — that he was committed to the ideals he laid out in his speech, including rebalancing power and cleaning up the judiciary.
Biden praised Poroshenko’s reference to dealing with corruption. “Corruption is a cancer,” Biden said. “It eats away the fabric of democracy.”
Biden said Poroshenko had demonstrated statesmanship today, and he praised the new president’s political courage. It takes courage to do things that appear unpopular on the surface, “but it is essential,” he said.
Biden said the U.S. is looking for President Putin to meet his commitments and deliver on his pledge. Border incursions and violence have to stop, he said.
“There’s a window for peace, and you know as well as anyone, that it will not stay open indefinitely,” Biden said.
“America’s with you,” he added. “That is not hyperbole.”
Biden told Poroshenko that the U.S. would commit another $50 million to assist Ukraine.
Biden called the election a testament to the Ukrainian people and said again that it was an honor to be here today. Ukraine may have “found the right man at the right time,” he said.
Biden’s meeting with Poroshenko still is in progress.
Colleen McCain Nelson
The Wall Street Journal
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