Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday welcomed the formation of a new government in Ukraine in a phone conversation with Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk, the White House said.
Biden also pledged U.S. support for reforms and called coming elections an opportunity "to restore the faith of all of the Ukrainian people in their country's democratic institutions," the White House said.
"The vice president reassured the prime minister that the United States will offer its full support as Ukraine undertakes the reforms necessary to return to economic health, pursue reconciliation, uphold its international obligations, and seek open and constructive relationships with all its neighbors," the White House said in a statement.
Ukraine, which has been embroiled in internal turmoil that forced pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych from power, plans to hold national elections in May.
Yanukovych has refused to acknowledge his ousting, saying the dissolution of his government was illegal. He is said to be in Russia and planning a news conference on Friday.
—Jeff Black, with Reuters