With twin tributes to Ukraine's unknown soldier and Jewish martyrs, President Clinton on Friday reached back to the horrors of World War II and then painted a bright future for the 52 million people of this oft-invaded land.
"Your efforts will not be in vain because the course is right even if the path is difficult," Clinton said in recognition of the economic hardships that are accompanying Ukraine's conversion to capitalism. "The toil is bitter but the harvest is sweet."Clinton assured an appreciative audience at Shevchenko University that the $1 billion in U.S. aid committed over the past three years would be followed by an ever-widening relationship. It will include defense ties and joint space launches, he said.
"As you build your future, the United States will stand with you," Clinton promised during an overnight stop that marks the first state visit by a U.S. president to an independent Ukraine.
The president hailed Ukraine's fortitude as "one of Europe's oldest peoples forging one of its newest democracies."
Overrun 100 times in the past millennium and independent only since 1991, Ukrainians positioned at the crossroads between Central and Eastern Europe historically look over their shoulders for trouble.
But Clinton assured them that "for America, support for an independent Ukraine, secure in its recognized borders, is not only a matter of sympathy, it is a matter of our national interest as well."
Ukraine has established ties with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and will participate in 10 joint military exercises this year.
Clinton said Ukraine had sent "an unmistakable message for peace and against weapons of mass destruction" when it became the first former Soviet republic to sign the 25-year-old Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
He suggested that Thursday's vote by the United Nations to indefinitely extend the treaty was made possible by Ukraine's contribution. "I'm proud of the role Ukraine played and you should be proud, too," he said.
Earlier, Clinton paid homage to the sacrifices of Ukraine during World War II, placing a wreath at an eternal flame marking the resting place of Ukraine's unknown soldier. Sunshine broke through the clouds as Clinton shook hands with two dozen bemedaled Ukrainian veterans.
"This is our joint victory," Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma declared. He presented Clinton with a medal to give to American veterans of the Allied victory over Germany 50 years ago.
Clinton's second reminder of the war was at Babi Yar, a ravine where 150,000 people, most of them Jews, were machine-gunned by the Nazis beginning in 1941.
"We remember their sacrifice and vow never to forget."
Before departing for Washington, the Clintons visited St. Andrews Church.