VOA标准英语2014--Obama Hosts Ukrainian PM in Signal to Russia
时间：2019-01-14 作者：英语课 分类：VOA标准英语2014年(三月)
Obama Hosts Ukrainian PM in Signal to Russia
WHITE HOUSE — President Barack Obama welcomed interim 1 Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk to the White House Wednesday as part of U.S. efforts to defuse the growing crisis between Washington and Moscow over the situation in Ukraine's Crimean region.
Prime Minister Yatsenyuk was welcomed at the White House with all the fanfare 2 of a head of state visit as Obama hosted the Ukrainian leader in the Oval Office. The welcome was meant as a sign that Ukraine's new government has U.S. support and recognition.
"It is a pleasure to welcome Prime Minister Yatsenyuk to the Oval Office, to the White House. I think all of us have seen the courage of the Ukrainian people in standing 3 up on behalf of democracy,” said Obama/
The message is meant for Russia and is Washington's latest attempt to get the Russians to call their troops back to their bases from the positions they have taken in Ukraine's Crimea region.
Despite U.S. efforts to reduce tensions, the crisis is deepening, as a Russian-sponsored referendum draws near in Crimea that could decide whether the region splits off from Ukraine and potentially joins Russia.
Obama said Russia could choose another path.
"We will not recognize, certainly, any referendum that goes forward. My hope is that as a consequence of diplomatic efforts over the next several days, that there will be a rethinking of the process that's been put forward," said Obama.
The Ukrainian leader thanked Obama for his support.
"Mr. President, it is all about the freedom. We fight for our freedom. We fight for our independence. We fight for our sovereignty and we will never surrender," said Yatsenyuk.
The United States has sent additional warplanes to central Europe, but maintains it does not want a military solution.
Washington announced it is now enforcing visa restrictions 4 laid out last week - part of the cost that Washington said Moscow will pay if it does not stop interfering 5 in Crimea.
Secretary of State John Kerry met with the Ukrainian leader and will later head to London for more difficult talks with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov.
Whether the strong words have any effect on Russia's actions remains 6 to be seen.
"We can say all we want, but Putin has taken Crimea and that's a fact. And I think we have to draw a distinction. If we want our words of unacceptability, of not recognizing this as not being legitimate 7. If we want those words to mean something, we also have to be prepared to take actions," said Kurt Volker, a former U.S. ambassador to NATO.
Ukraine's new leader leaves Washington with a package of U.S. support to boost his fragile government, including $1 billion in loan guarantees that are pending 8 congressional approval.
- The government is taking interim measures to help those in immediate need.政府正在采取临时措施帮助那些有立即需要的人。
- It may turn out to be an interim technology.这可能只是个过渡技术。
- The product was launched amid much fanfare worldwide.这个产品在世界各地隆重推出。
- A fanfare of trumpets heralded the arrival of the King.嘹亮的小号声宣告了国王驾到。
- After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
- They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。
- I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
- a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制
- He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
- The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。
- Sickness is a legitimate reason for asking for leave.生病是请假的一个正当的理由。
- That's a perfectly legitimate fear.怀有这种恐惧完全在情理之中。