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Kerry meets with Ukrainian prime minister in Kiev

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met Tuesday in Kiev with the newly elected Ukrainian Prime Minister, Arseniy Yatseniuk, to deliver the message: "The U.S. will stand by the people of Ukraine as they build the strong, sovereign and democratic country they deserve."

By JC Finley
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (R) shakes hands Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk before their meting in Kiev on March, 4, 2014. Kerry announced a $1 billion economic package in support of the new government, while Russian President Vladimir Putin says he reserves the right to use force in the Ukraine as a last resort. (UPI/Ivan Vakolenko)
1 of 2 | U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (R) shakes hands Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk before their meting in Kiev on March, 4, 2014. Kerry announced a $1 billion economic package in support of the new government, while Russian President Vladimir Putin says he reserves the right to use force in the Ukraine as a last resort. (UPI/Ivan Vakolenko) | License Photo

KIEV, Ukraine, March 4 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, on travel to Kiev, met Tuesday with the newly-elected Ukrainian Prime Minister, Arseniy Yatseniuk.

Kerry's message to Ukraine's interim government and to the Ukrainian people was one of support following Russia's occupation of the Crimean Peninsula, a message publicized by the State Department via social media.

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Earlier in the day, Kerry tweeted a photo of himself laying flowers at the Shrine of the Fallen, a memorial for civilians killed in February when government forces under the control of now-deposed President Viktor Yanukovych opened fire on Euromaidan protesters.

Coinciding with Kerry's arrival in Ukraine, Treasury Department Secretary Jack Lew announced that the U.S. will provide $1 billion in loan guarantees and technical expertise to Ukraine.

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