Hammer says U.S. priorities on Ukraine are free parliamentary elections and Tymoshenko's release
The U.S. Department of State has confirmed its priorities with respect to Ukraine, in particular, free and fair parliamentary elections and the release of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.
Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Mike Hammer announced this on Thursday during a Web conference on U.S. foreign policy priorities, while answering a question from Interfax-Ukraine.
Noting that the question of Ukraine, as well as that of Georgia, was recently discussed at a meeting of EU and NATO ministers, he said that the United States was working with its European partners, calling on the Ukrainian authorities to ensure that the elections in Ukraine are held transparently, freely and fairly, and helping the Ukrainian people choose their future leaders.
Hammer also cited the example of the recent parliamentary elections in Georgia. He said that the elections in Georgia helped the people elect their leaders and that Ukraine should look what its neighbor is doing, and see how to ensure that this also happens in Ukraine.
He also reiterated the U.S. position on former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko. He said that the United States is concerned that Tymoshenko remains in custody and that she should be released from prison, because, in his opinion, the current situation does not favor the climate of the election campaign.