Ukraine's president: Biden reaffirms US support

U.S. President Joe Biden told Ukraine it would "never be left alone against Russian aggression," the leader of the eastern European country said Friday.

"We enjoy the full and unwavering support of international partners, including Europe and the United States," Volodymyr Zelenskiy said, referring to Biden's call to him following reports of Russian troop movements on Ukraine's eastern border.

The United States and Ukraine say Russia is escalating tensions in eastern Ukraine, where Russia-backed separatists have been fighting Ukrainian forces since 2014. Russia denies having a military presence there.

The Pentagon this week accused Russia of violating a 2020 cease-fire, including in a March 26 clash that killed four Ukrainian soldiers. Ukraine's military blamed a Russian mortar attack.

"Preserving a complete cease-fire is a guarantee of continuing difficult yet much-needed negotiations," Zelenskiy said.

He also said that the Biden had shown support for Ukrainian efforts to fight corruption and promote judicial reforms.