AlQa'dah 21, 1435, Sep 16, 2014, SPA -- The United States on Tuesday congratulated Ukraine on reaching an association agreement with the European Union, indicating the country's willingness to peacefully resolve tensions with Russia. "By forging ahead with this agreement in the face of great challenges, Ukraine's leaders have carried out the will of the Ukrainian people," the State Department said in a statement. Ukrainian and European parliaments were able to pass laws on Ukraine's Association Agreement, including special status for parts of Donetsk and Luhansk that were important in the September 5 ceasefire agreement. The United States urged Russia to implement the twelve steps of the ceasefire agreement. "Russia must stop its unlawful military intervention in Ukraine, withdraw all military forces and equipment from inside Ukraine and away from its border, end its support for the separatist forces in eastern Ukraine, and agree to an effective mechanism to secure and monitor the Ukraine-Russia border," the State Department said.
