U.S. Vice President Joe Biden told Ukrainian members of parliament in Kiev, including presidential candidates, that the U.S. was ready to help Ukraine's economy but warned that they must fight the "cancer" of endemic corruption.
He said the presidential election on May 25 would be the most important in the country's history and Washington was ready to help in holding it. Saying Ukraine faced humiliating threats and daunting problems, Biden said the U.S. was ready to assist its leaders in seizing a chance to create national unity.
He said there was no reason Ukraine could not achieve energy security, but it would take time. He asked the legislators to imagine the stronger position Kiev would be in now if it was not dependent on Russia for gas supplies.
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