Congressional delegation to Ukraine

A congressional delegation visiting Ukraine this week met with President Viktor Yuschenko and visited the site of the Holocaust-era massacre at Babi Yar.Led by Rep. Alcee L. Hastings (D-Fla.), chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin (D-Md.) and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), the delegation discussed U.S.-Ukrainian relations, Ukraine’s possible integration into NATO and the European Union, and protection of minorities in this former Soviet republic in meetings with Ukrainian officials.Yuschenko described his country’s ambition to join the EU and NATO as its “key national priority” and described Ukraine’s partnership with the United States as “strategic and increasingly important.”The congressional delegation is attending the 16th session of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly in Kiev.