USA won’t better its relations with Russia at Ukraine’s expense, Ambassador Taylor says

The new US presidential administration is trying to improve the tone of its dialog with Russia, something which will be also beneficial to Ukraine,” the ambassador stressed.

Enhanced cooperation with Russia is needed in the area of armaments control, specifically regarding Iran’s growing nuclear potential and proliferation of mass-destruction weapons, the US diplomat said.

“As a strategic partner, Ukraine has the same level of importance to the United States it had during the Bush administration,” Taylor assured. The USA will abide by the charter for strategic partnership between Ukraine and the USA. The Obama administration has accepted the document and wants to make it a cornerstone of cooperation with Ukraine.

 The American attitude to sovereign Ukraine is clear: should Ukraine want to joint the EU – it will be Ukraine’s choice; should it want to join NATO – it will also be its own choice. Ukraine, not Russia, should approve decisions for Ukraine, W. Taylor concluded.