Blinken takes anti-graft communication, older Russia foe to Ukraine

When Secretary of Condition Antony Blinken travels to Ukraine this week he'll be carrying a hardcore anti-graft communication and strong U.S. backing for the country's response to Russian aggression.

He'll also get taking along a good familiar face in the Washington-Moscow tug-of-battle over the former Soviet republic: Victoria Nuland. The one-time stop is intended to show America's continued dedication to Ukraine as it copes with Russia's support for separatists and a buildup of troops along its eastern border, as well concerning press Kyiv on corruption. It comes at a time of heightened U.S. tensions with Russia not merely on Ukraine but also because of U.S. criticism of Russia over human privileges, hacking and interference in elections. Both countries lately ordered tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions. Yet beyond these main issues, the mere existence in Kyiv of Nuland, now the No. 3 State Department official, is likely to irritate Russia. A Russia hawk, Nuland is normally reviled by the Kremlin and was a primary target of Moscow's episodes on the U.S. during Ukraine's 2013-14 revolution and Russia's annexation of Crimea when she served as assistant secretary of state for Europe through the Obama administration.

Blinken said Monday found in London that he'd use the visit to show "our unwavering support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine." Additional officials have said he would as well press on institutional reform and anti-corruption measures. "You will find a lot of effort to be completed to ensure a brighter future for all Ukrainians," the most notable U.S. diplomat for Europe, Phillip Reeker, said last week.