Biden meets acting Ukrainian president in Kiev

KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — Vice President Joe Biden is paying a visit to Ukraine's acting president in a high-level show of U.S. support for the embattled government.

Biden and Ukrainian President Oleksandr Turchynov are meeting Tuesday at the building that houses Ukraine's parliament, the Rada. Turchynov also serves as Rada speaker.

Biden later plans to address lawmakers from all regions of Ukraine and meet with its acting prime minister.

The vice president's visit comes at a crucial time, days after an international agreement was reached aimed at quelling violence in Ukraine. Pro-Russian insurgents in the eastern part of the country have been protesting the government in Kiev as it moves toward presidential elections next month.

After his meetings, Biden plans to announce new technical support to the Ukrainian government for energy and economic reforms.