    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book I)]
    [May 11, 1995]
    [Pages 679-680]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Arrival in Kiev, Ukraine
    May 11, 1995

        President Kuchma, Mrs. Kuchma, distinguished members of the
    government: It is a great honor for me and for our party to be in one of
    Europe's oldest nations and youngest democracies.
        This trip, which follows my stopover here in January of 1994 and
    President Kuchma's trip to Washington last fall, will give us an
    opportunity to continue the tremendous progress we have made in building
    strong and productive ties between our countries.
        This week in Washington, Moscow, and now Kiev, we celebrated an
    alliance that turned back the forces of fascism 50 years ago. Our
    victory was shared. But its cost to the people of the former Soviet
    Union was unique. On this land alone, more than 5 million Ukrainians
    lost their lives to the war.
        Now, the tremendous will the Ukrainian people brought to the war
    effort is building a great future for this nation. The United States has
    an important stake in that future. A secure, stable, and prosperous
    Ukraine can become a hub of democracy for Central Europe and an
    important political and economic partner for the United States.
        Already, we have seen what such a partnership can accomplish.
    Ukraine chose to give up nuclear weapons when the former Soviet Union
    dissolved. Your decision has made the Ukrainian people, the American
    people, and the entire world much safer and more secure. On behalf of
    the United States, I want to thank you for that brave and wise decision.
        We have also been heartened by the bold steps Ukraine has taken over
    the past several

    [[Page 680]]

    months to foster free markets. Those were the right steps, and the
    international community has given the right response, large-scale
    assistance to help Ukraine stay on the path of reform. I want President
    Kuchma and the Ukrainian people to know that the United States and the
    West will stay the course with you.
        I look forward to discussing the potential for strengthening the
    economic ties between our two nations. The private sector can be the
    engine of economic growth for Ukraine. And as prosperity takes hold, 52
    million Ukrainians can become major consumers of our goods and services.
    That will produce more jobs, at better wages, in both our countries.
        The United States admires the extraordinary progress Ukraine has
    made in such a short time. Building democracy and a successful market
    economy takes time and patience. Ukrainian people are demonstrating an
    abundance of both, and I am here to reaffirm our country's strong
    support for your courage and vision.
        Thank you very much.

    Note: The President spoke at approximately 3:25 p.m. in the Mariinsky
    Palace Courtyard. In his remarks, he referred to President Leonid Kuchma
    of Ukraine and his wife, Lyudmyla Niaolayivna Kuchma.