U.S. Vice President Joe Biden telephoned newly elected Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk Thursday to congratulate the new leader on his position and to discuss Ukraine's political transition, according to UPI. During their conversation, Biden observed that the newly instated interim government has "an important opportunity" to instill faith in Ukraine's democratic institutions. Yatseniuk and his cabinet, Biden said, also have the ability "to bring peace, stability, and unity to Ukraine" after months of political upheaval. Biden assured the new prime minister that he has America's "full support as Ukraine undertakes the reforms necessary to return to economic health, pursue reconciliation, uphold its international obligations, and seek open and constructive relationships with all its neighbors." Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada, its parliament, voted to install Arseniy Yatseniuk as its new prime minister on Thursday, and approved his proposed appointment of new cabinet members.
