KIEV -- Ukraine and the United States signed an agreement Wednesday on peaceful nuclear cooperation, which foresees $30 million in U.S. aid to Kiev to modernize its nuclear power industry.


The accord was signed in the Ukrainian capital by Foreign Minister Boris Tarasyuk and U.S. Ambassador Steven Karl Pifer.


The accord followed Ukraine's cancellation in March of a planned $45 million nuclear deal with Iran.


Washington promised Ukraine enhanced economic ties and cooperation in the nuclear power industry if it refrained from selling atomic technology to Iran.