KIEV, Jan. 16 - U.S. Senator Richard Lugar views Ukraine as a key element of Europe's energy security.

Energy routes running through Ukraine make it a core element of guaranteeing energy security in many European countries, Lugar told a news conference in Kiev on Wednesday.

The U.S. senator said that a goal of his recent visits to Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan was to encourage these energy exporters to establish more active and friendly ties with Ukraine.