WASHINGTON - THE United States and Ukraine are looking for ways to strengthen cooperation in a rejection of Moscow's claim to a sphere of influence along its borders.

A new strategic partnership statement is intended as a signal to Russia, according to Deputy Assistant Secretary of State David Merkel.

The document, which US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Volodymyr Ogryzko were unveiling on Friday, is nonbinding, but outlines areas of cooperation and reiterates the US commitment to eventual Nato membership for Ukraine.

'It is a clear signal from the US and from Ukraine that the partnership is strong and the path toward democracy and European integration is strong,' Mr Merkel said.

The document touches on broad areas of cooperation, including economic development and defense, promising to enhance US training and equipping of Ukraine's military through Nato.

It also includes a statement by Ukraine welcoming the US intention to open a new 'diplomatic presence' on the Crimean peninsula, the Ukrainian region where Russia's Black Sea fleet is based.

The United States wants to aid economic development in Crimea to lessen the economic impact of an eventual base closure, Mr Merkel said.

Russia's war in August with Nato aspirant Georgia and Moscow's recognition of rebel Georgian territory as independent has stoked fears in Ukraine that Moscow may try to encourage a separatist movement in Crimea.

A majority of the 2 million residents of Crimea are ethnic Russians, many of whom feel close to Moscow. Russian officials have denied claims that Moscow has plans to encroach on Ukraine's sovereignty.

But the region is likely to remain tense because Russia has a lease on its Soviet-era naval base in Sevastopol until 2017 and Ukraine has said it will not be extended.

The new US-Ukrainian document signals that the United States is looking for ways to help Ukraine in the standoff.

Mr Merkel said the document is intended to 'break Moscow's narrative that it has laid out markers saying that the direction has to be reversed, the direction of US involvement has to be blunted.'

He added: 'This really speaks to the continuity of the relationship and the desire to become more and more active.' -- AP