West offers Ukraine $17.5b lifeline as Russia bridles at sanctions

The IMF handed Ukraine a $17.5 billion lifeline as the United States agreed to send military aid to bolster its forces against pro-Russian rebels - but stopped short of promising weapons. The United States also expanded the reach of its economic sanctions, targeting a Russian bank and separatist officials in eastern Ukraine - a move Moscow branded a “political provocation” that would only worsen the crisis. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko welcomed the increased US support in the face of what he called the separatists’ “barbaric aggression,” despite Washington snubbing growing calls for arms and ammunition.

It is unreasonable to suggest that the United States would be able to provide enough military support to the Ukrainian military that they could overwhelm the military operations that are currently being backed by Russia.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest

The four-year, $17.5 billion (15.5 billion euro) aid plan replaces an existing IMF program, less than a year old, that proved inadequate to stabilize Ukraine’s finances. Five billion dollars will be disbursed immediately and a total of 10 billion in the first year.

Ukraine aid Politics