Joe Biden Calls for Withdrawal of Russian Forces from Ukraine

Joe Biden, the Vice President of the United States, condemned Russia's actions in Ukraine, deeming them 'unacceptable.' On Friday, November 30, he urged Russia to withdraw its military forces from Ukraine in accordance with the ceasefire established in September. According to Reuters, after meeting with Petro Poroshenko, the President of Ukraine, Biden addressed Russian President Vladimir Putin in a clear and polite tone, saying, 'Mr. Putin, adhere to what you have agreed.' The visit of the senior American delegation to Kyiv aimed to remove obstacles to the revival of the peace treaty between Ukraine and Russia and the separatists in the eastern part of the country. Ukraine and Western countries accuse Russia of supporting the separatists and sending military forces to eastern Ukraine, while Moscow denies these allegations. Both sides, however, accuse each other of violating the ceasefire. On Friday, Ukraine reported that for the first time since the ceasefire was implemented, its territory was targeted by artillery fire from inside Russia. The U.S. Vice President's visit coincided with the first anniversary of the decision by Viktor Yanukovych, the ousted President of Ukraine, to cancel the political and trade agreement with the European Union and to expand relations with Russia, which led to protests and demonstrations of tens of thousands and ultimately his removal from the presidency. The annexation of Crimea by Russia in March and support for Ukrainian rebels in the east became one of the most serious confrontations between Russia and Western countries since the Cold War. Reuters further reports that tensions in war-torn Ukraine escalated on Friday as Petro Poroshenko paid tribute to about 100 protesters who were killed by police last February. Relatives of the victims, angered by the new government's inability to prosecute those responsible for the crackdowns under Yanukovych's regime, shouted, 'Where are the killers? Death to Poroshenko.' They also criticized Poroshenko for not granting the victims the title of national hero, which would provide financial benefits to the families of the deceased. Poroshenko later returned to the gathering and promised to grant the title of national hero to these victims, known as the 'Heavenly Hundred,' by signing an official decree. Joe Biden, accompanied by Poroshenko, stated that the annexation of Crimea by Russia and support for separatists represents 'a blatant violation of fundamental principles of international relations.' He affirmed that the United States will always support a democratic and reformist Ukraine. However, Biden did not mention new military assistance requested by Ukraine. A statement from the office of the U.S. Vice President indicated that the U.S. government would provide $250 million to support judicial and law enforcement reforms in Ukraine, pending congressional approval.