UKRAINE, U.S. REVIEW RECENT PROGRESS IN BILATERAL TIES.

U.S. deputy secretary of state Strobe Talbott and other senior officials conferred yesterday in Kiev with President Leonid Kuchma and other Ukrainian leaders. The U.S. officials noted the progress of Ukraine’s political and economic reforms, urged their continuation, expressed readiness for closer bilateral ties, and agreed to use U.S. influence in stimulating other Western countries’ relations with Ukraine. The Ukrainian leaders called for enhanced security cooperation with the U.S. and NATO and called for increased U.S. aid in the short term to support Ukraine’s reforms. (Interfax-Ukraine, Reuter, July 17 and 18)

Moscow Slams Hague Tribunal.