U.S. Vice President Joe Biden told Ukrainian presidential candidates and members of parliament yesterday that Washington was ready to help Ukraine’s economy but warned that they must fight the “cancer” of endemic corruption.

    In Kiev to offer a symbolic show of U.S. support, Biden said the presidential election May 25 would be an opportunity to lay the groundwork for a more unified and prosperous country.

    Saying Ukraine faced humiliating threats and daunting problems, Biden said the United States was ready to assist its leaders in seizing a chance to create national unity.

    “The opportunity to generate a united Ukraine, getting it right, is within your grasp. And we want to be your partner and friend,” he said.

    A U.S. official told reporters Monday that Biden would discuss energy security with Ukraine’s leaders, including ways to increase domestic production of natural gas. Kiev currently relies heavily on gas supplies from Moscow.

    Biden told the legislators it would take time for Ukraine to achieve energy security but it was within the country’s power to do so.

    (SD-Agencies)