Biden in Ukraine for talks with leaders

U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden arrived in Ukraine Monday to calm fears that Washington's efforts to improve relations with Russia could come at the expense of former Soviet nations.

The streets of Kiev were closed for Biden's arrival at Boryspil airport Monday afternoon, but public interest in the visit has been low, with newspapers offering little coverage ahead of the visit, said Reuters.

Biden will meet with Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and the country's main opposition leaders as the country gears up for January presidential elections.

Ukrainian officials are looking to Biden for help in getting more economic assistance from international financial institutions and the European Union as the former Soviet republic battles a severe economic crisis

The visit comes two weeks after U.S. President Barack Obama travelled to Moscow, where he and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev vowed to "re-set" relations between their two countries, which soured under the administration of former U.S. president George W. Bush.

Russia and Ukraine have been at odds since the 2004 Orange Revolution brought Yushchenko to power. His aggressive push for Ukraine to join NATO and the EU has angered Moscow.

The two countries have also repeatedly bickered over the price of natural gas, with Russia last cutting off Ukraine's supply in January, stopping the flow to a number of European countries.

On Wednesday, Biden will visit the former Soviet republic of Georgia, whose pro-Western drive has met fierce opposition from Russia.