You're reading: US official: Washington’s policy on Ukraine won’t change during Obama’s second presidency

Brussels – The United States' policy on Ukraine will remain unchanged during the second presidency of Barack Obama, and Washington wants to see real development of democracy in Ukraine, Director of Policy Planning at the U.S. Department of State Jake Sullivan has said. 

Asked about Ukraine at an online press conference on Tuesday dedicated to priority tasks and goals of the United States’ foreign policy in the 21st century, Sullivan noted that the United States expressed its concerns about the political situation in the country earlier.

“We made official statements and U.S. Secretary of State [Hillary] Clinton said this in her letters to the Ukrainian leaders. We have clearly stated that we are ready to support Ukraine’s real movement towards democratization, and we will keep expressing our disagreement until this happens. Our policy on the issue is very transparent and stable,” he said.

The U.S. official stressed that many steps should be taken to create more transparent, open, and regulated management and institutions in the country. He added that the case of former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko should be treated in a fair way.

“All in all – and this is important for Ukraine’s future – only the Ukrainian people and Ukrainian government will make decisions on the implementation of the fundamental parameters of the democratic society and take necessary steps in this direction,” he said.

Sullivan added that the relations of Kyiv and Washington have other aspects, and said the sides will continue their cooperation.