WORLD BRIEFING / GEORGIA

Vice President Joe Biden pledged support for efforts by Ukraine and Georgia to break free of Russia’s orbit, saying Washington would not recognize Kremlin claims to an exclusive sphere of influence over former Soviet states.

“As we reset the relationship with Russia, we reaffirm our commitment to an independent Ukraine, and we recognize no sphere of influence or no ability of any other nation to veto the choices an independent nation makes,” Biden declared in Kiev, Ukraine’s capital.

And in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, Biden said he wanted to send “an unequivocal, clear message to all who will listen, and some who don’t want to listen, that America stands with you and will continue to stand.”