Clinton says NATO's door still open to Ukraine
KIEV, Ukraine — U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton told Ukrainian leaders Friday that the door to membership in the NATO alliance remains open.
Clinton alluded to the newly elected Ukrainian government's closer alignment to Moscow and its decision to steer away from NATO membership.
Slowing her delivery to emphasize the NATO issue, Clinton told the government officials she wanted to make it clear that the U.S. would not pressure Ukraine to join NATO. She said it is up to Ukraine to choose its own alliances and to make such decisions in line with its own security interests.
Clinton arrived in the Ukrainian capital at dawn and was spending the day in a series of meetings with top government officials.
At a news conference later, Clinton emphasized the positive on Ukrainian democratic reforms.
"I commend the government for those commitments," Clinton said, adding that now it needs to turn those commitments into action to improve freedom of the press and other democratic rights.
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