DW-World.de
Deutsche Welle

US Vice President Dick Cheney has reiterated Washington's support of Ukraine's bid to join the Western military alliance NATO. Following a meeting with Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko in Kiev, Cheney said that Ukraine would eventually join NATO as pledged at an alliance summit back in April. He also used his visit to Ukraine to call on the country's divided leaders to unite. The governing coalition consisting of the parties of President Yuschenko and Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko crumbled earlier this week. The move, which could result in snap elections, has sparked fresh debate about whether Ukraine should draw closer to the West, to Russia, or pursue a neutral stance. Ukraine was Cheney's final stop of a three-day tour of the region which was aimed at shoring up support for US allies following last month's military conflict between Georgia and Russia.