Biden: 'Ukraine Must Remain One Country'

Vice President Joe Biden has reiterated US support for a unified Ukraine during a meeting with MPs in Kiev.

Mr Biden addressed politicians at the Ukraine parliament in a show of support for the interim government and announced new technical support measures for the government on energy and economic reforms.

He also warned Russia against further provocative action after an agreement in Geneva last week.

"There are some who are trying to pull Ukraine apart. Ukraine is in a struggle for its very future," he said.

"Ukraine is and must remain one country - one united Ukraine.

Mr Biden also met with interim president Oleksander Turchynov

"No nation has the right to simply grab land from another nation. We will never recognise Russia's illegal occupation of Crimea and neither will the world.

"More provocative behaviour by Russia will lead to more costs and greater isolation."

Not long after he made speech, a Ukrainian military surveillance plane flying over the rebel-held town of Slavyansk, in eastern Ukraine, was hit by small arms fire.

The propellor-driven aircraft, which was on a reconnaissance flight, was damaged but managed to make an emergency landing, allowing crew members to escape injury.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk said Russian special forces were operating in eastern Ukraine and urged Russia to withdraw troops in Crimea to "turn this shameful page".

A pro-Russian separatist guards the security service building in Slovyansk

Among the new support measures announced by Mr Biden was an additional $50m (£39m) for political and economic reforms, and another $8m (£4.75m) for non-lethal aid to Ukraine including vehicles and radios.

US experts will also work on reducing Ukraine's dependence on Russian gas as well as fighting corruption.

Mr Biden also called on Russia to withdraw troops from its borders with Ukraine and to "stop talking and start acting" on the surrender of militants in the east of the country.

His visit comes as pro-Russian separatists show no sign of surrendering government buildings seized in the predominantly Russian speaking east.

US and EU officials have said they will impose new economic sanctions on Moscow if the separatists do not leave the premises seized during the last two weeks.

British Prime Minister David Cameron will discuss the Ukraine crisis and EU reform during a meeting with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy later on Tuesday.

On Monday, a spokeswoman for US Secretary of State John Kerry said: "If they don't take steps in the coming days, there'll be consequences"

But Russia hit back, with foreign minister Sergei Lavrov calling for the US to "pressure Kiev to stop hotheads from provoking a bloody conflict and to encourage the Ukrainian authorities to strictly fulfil their obligations".

Visa bans and asset freezes on key Russian figures have already been imposed after Moscow's action in Ukraine last month.

On Easter Sunday, at least three people were killed at a checkpoint manned by armed separatists, with Russia blaming Ukrainian nationalist group Right Sector.

The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has deployed around 100 mediators in Ukraine to monitor the situation in the east of the country.

So far the separatists have refused to relinquish control of buildings.

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