The Washington representative expressed his Government’s commitment ‘in favor of Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence,’ he said.

According to Sputnik news agency, Blinken assured that his country is closely monitoring the situation on the border between Ukraine and Russia.

In his words to the press in Kiev, he called on Moscow to ‘stop the aggression’ against Ukraine and warned that along with Western partners, ‘we are working so that Ukraine can defend itself from aggression by Russia.’

The head of US diplomacy told his Ukrainian counterpart Dmitri Kuleba that his country will help Kiev ‘to strengthen its own democracy, build its institutions and move forwards its anti-corruption reforms.’

Blinken arrived in Kiev on Wednesday and expects to meet this Thursday with the Ukrainian president and hold talks with senior government officials, Ukrinform news agency informed.

ef/iff/mem/mml