<p>President Joe&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;asked Congress for $33&nbsp;billion&nbsp;to&nbsp;support&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;- a dramatic escalation of US&nbsp;funding for the&nbsp;war&nbsp;with Russia - and the Ukrainian president pleaded with lawmakers to give the request a swift&nbsp;approval.</p>

<p>The funding request includes over $20&nbsp;billion&nbsp;for weapons, ammunition and other military assistance, as well as $8.5&nbsp;billion&nbsp;in direct economic assistance to the Ukrainian government and $3&nbsp;billion&nbsp;in humanitarian aid. It is intended to cover the&nbsp;war&nbsp;effort's needs through September, the end of the fiscal year.</p>

<p>"We need this bill to&nbsp;support&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;in its fight for freedom,"&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;said at the White House after signing the request on Thursday. "The cost of this fight - it's not cheap - but caving to aggression is going to be more costly."</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-rockets-strike-kyiv-during-un-chief-antonio-guterres-visit-474784">Russian rockets strike Kyiv during UN chief Antonio Guterres' visit</a></strong></p>

<p>The United States has ruled out sending its own or NATO forces to&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;but Washington and its European allies have supplied weapons to Kyiv such as drones, Howitzer heavy artillery, anti-aircraft Stinger and anti-tank Javelin missiles.</p>

<p>Ukrainian president Volodymyr&nbsp;Zelensky&nbsp;hailed what he called "a very important step" by the United States.</p>

<p>"I am thankful to the American people and personally to President&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;for it. I hope that Congress will&nbsp;quickly approve this request for help to our state," he said in a late night video address.</p>

<p>Biden's proposal would also let US&nbsp;officials seize more Russian oligarchs' assets, give the cash from those seizures to&nbsp;Ukraine, and further criminalize sanctions dodging, the White House said.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Russia energy giant Gazprom lands record high profit of $29 billion in 2021</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-energy-giant-gazprom-lands-record-high-profit-of-29-billion-in-2021-474816/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>That would include letting the Justice Department use the strict US&nbsp;racketeering law once deployed against the mafia, the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, to build cases against people who evade sanctions.</p>

<p>Biden&nbsp;also&nbsp;wants&nbsp;to give prosecutors more time to build such cases by extending the statute of limitations on money laundering prosecutions to 10 years, instead of five. He would also make it a criminal act to hold money knowingly taken from corrupt dealings with Russia, according to a summary of the legislative proposals.</p>

<p>The measures are part of U.S. efforts to isolate and punish Russia for its Feb. 24 invasion of&nbsp;Ukraine, as well as to help Kyiv recover from a&nbsp;war&nbsp;that has reduced cities to rubble and forced more than 5 million people to flee abroad.</p>

<p>Biden&nbsp;has already asked for record peacetime sums to fund Pentagon research and development, and efforts to counter perceived threats from countries including Russia.</p>

<p>The full package represents a fifth of pre-war&nbsp;Ukrainian annual economic output, and the $20&nbsp;billion&nbsp;US&nbsp;military assistance alone is about a third of what the Russian military spent overall last year, before the&nbsp;war&nbsp;began.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<p>A package would include food security assistance, economic stimulus for&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;and funding to use the Cold&nbsp;War-era Defense Production Act to expand domestic production of key minerals in short supply due to the&nbsp;war.</p>

<p>But the funding measure may face issues on Capitol Hill.&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;asked for $22.5&nbsp;billion&nbsp;in money for the COVID-19 response in March and Democrats with narrow control of the Senate and House of Representatives may push to have that passed at the same time as the&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;measure.</p>

<p>While lawmakers are broadly&nbsp;supportive of spending on&nbsp;Ukraine, Republican congressional aides said on Thursday that efforts to combine the&nbsp;war&nbsp;funding with the pandemic response could make it difficult to pass.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-rockets-strike-kyiv-during-un-chief-antonio-guterres-visit-474784">Russian rockets strike Kyiv during UN chief Antonio Guterres' visit</a></strong></p>

<p>"I don't care how they do it,"&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;said. "They can do it separately or together, but we need them both."</p>

<p>U.S. military aid to&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;has topped $3&nbsp;billion&nbsp;since Russia launched what it calls a "special military operation" to demilitarize Ukraine&nbsp;and protect it from fascists. Kyiv and its Western allies reject that as a false pretext.</p>

<p>The United States and its European allies have frozen $30&nbsp;billion&nbsp;of assets held by wealthy individuals with ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, including yachts, helicopters, real estate and art, the&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;administration has said.</p>


President Joe Biden asked Congress for $33 billion to support Ukraine - a dramatic escalation of US funding for the war with Russia - and the Ukrainian president pleaded with lawmakers to give the request a swift approval.

President Joe Biden asked Congress for $33 billion to support Ukraine - a dramatic escalation of US funding for the war with Russia - and the Ukrainian president pleaded with lawmakers to give the request a swift approval. The funding request includes over $20 billion for weapons, ammunition and other military assistance, as well as $8.5 billion in direct economic assistance to the Ukrainian government and $3 billion in humanitarian aid. It is intended to cover the war effort's needs through September, the end of the fiscal year. "We need this bill to support Ukraine in its fight for freedom," Biden said at the White House after signing the request on Thursday. "The cost of this fight - it's not cheap - but caving to aggression is going to be more costly." Also read | Russian rockets strike Kyiv during UN chief Antonio Guterres' visit The United States has ruled out sending its own or NATO forces to Ukraine but Washington and its European allies have supplied weapons to Kyiv such as drones, Howitzer heavy artillery, anti-aircraft Stinger and anti-tank Javelin missiles. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky hailed what he called "a very important step" by the United States. "I am thankful to the American people and personally to President Biden for it. I hope that Congress will quickly approve this request for help to our state," he said in a late night video address. Biden's proposal would also let US officials seize more Russian oligarchs' assets, give the cash from those seizures to Ukraine, and further criminalize sanctions dodging, the White House said. Watch | Russia energy giant Gazprom lands record high profit of $29 billion in 2021 That would include letting the Justice Department use the strict US racketeering law once deployed against the mafia, the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, to build cases against people who evade sanctions. Biden also wants to give prosecutors more time to build such cases by extending the statute of limitations on money laundering prosecutions to 10 years, instead of five. He would also make it a criminal act to hold money knowingly taken from corrupt dealings with Russia, according to a summary of the legislative proposals. The measures are part of U.S. efforts to isolate and punish Russia for its Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, as well as to help Kyiv recover from a war that has reduced cities to rubble and forced more than 5 million people to flee abroad. Biden has already asked for record peacetime sums to fund Pentagon research and development, and efforts to counter perceived threats from countries including Russia. The full package represents a fifth of pre-war Ukrainian annual economic output, and the $20 billion US military assistance alone is about a third of what the Russian military spent overall last year, before the war began. WATCH WION LIVE HERE A package would include food security assistance, economic stimulus for Ukraine and funding to use the Cold War-era Defense Production Act to expand domestic production of key minerals in short supply due to the war. But the funding measure may face issues on Capitol Hill. Biden asked for $22.5 billion in money for the COVID-19 response in March and Democrats with narrow control of the Senate and House of Representatives may push to have that passed at the same time as the Ukraine measure. While lawmakers are broadly supportive of spending on Ukraine, Republican congressional aides said on Thursday that efforts to combine the war funding with the pandemic response could make it difficult to pass. Also read | Russian rockets strike Kyiv during UN chief Antonio Guterres' visit "I don't care how they do it," Biden said. "They can do it separately or together, but we need them both." U.S. military aid to Ukraine has topped $3 billion since Russia launched what it calls a "special military operation" to demilitarize Ukraine and protect it from fascists. Kyiv and its Western allies reject that as a false pretext. The United States and its European allies have frozen $30 billion of assets held by wealthy individuals with ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, including yachts, helicopters, real estate and art, the Biden administration has said.

Biden seeks $33 billion war chest to support Ukraine, Zelensky wants quick approval

<p>The UK government will send more military aid in the form of much-needed defence equipment to Ukraine in its fight against Russia, Prime Minister Boris Johnson told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.</p>

<p>In one of many regular phone calls between the two leaders on Saturday, Johnson said Britain would provide more mobility vehicles, drones and anti-tank weapons as he condemned ongoing attacks by Russian forces against civilian targets, including in Mariupol, Odessa and Lviv.</p>

<p>He also updated Zelensky on new UK sanctions imposed against members of the Russian military and confirmed that the UK would be reopening its embassy in Kyiv next week as a show of support and solidarity with the Ukrainian people.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/ukraine-war-russian-invasion-enters-its-third-month-473367">Ukraine war: Russia's 'special military operation' enters third month</a></strong></p>

<p>The Prime Minister confirmed that the UK is providing more defensive military aid, including protected mobility vehicles, drones and anti-tank weapons. President Zelenskyy thanked the Prime Minister for the training of Ukrainian military personnel currently taking place in the UK, a spokesperson for 10 Downing Street said in a readout of the call.</p>

<p>The Prime Minister said that Russia would be held to account for its actions and that the UK government was helping collect evidence of war crimes. He also updated the President on new UK sanctions designations against members of the Russian military and confirmed that the UK would be reopening its embassy in Kyiv next week, demonstrating our support and solidarity with theUkrainian people, the spokesperson said.</p>

<p>President Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin are both due to meet United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in the coming week.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Kharkiv says Over 700 killed since invasion started</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-ukraine-conflict-kharkiv-says-over-700-killed-since-invasion-started-473411/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Ahead of planned meetings, Johnson and Zelensky agreed on the importance of establishing a ceasefire and humanitarian corridor to allow civilians to leave Mariupol.</p>

<p>The Prime Minister said that Russia would be held to account for its actions and that the UK government was helping collect evidence of war crimes,&nbsp;Downing Street said.</p>

<p>Both leaders discussed how the UK will work with partners to develop a long-term security solution for Ukraine and the Prime Minister noted the discussions taking place with international partners to provide further financial support, including at the G7 Finance Ministers' meeting last Wednesday, the statement added.</p>

<p>Zelensky updated Johnson on the situation in the Donbas, where Russia is now seen concentrating its military efforts in a conflict that broke out in February.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-want-to-see-the-sun-heart-breaking-video-of-children-holed-up-in-embattled-mariupol-emerges-watch-473389">'We want to see the sun': Heart-breaking video of children holed up in embattled Mariupol emerges. Watch</a></strong></p>

<p>In a press conference in a Kyiv metro station later on Saturday, Zelensky said he was "satisfied" with the level of military support coming from the UK.</p>

<p>"We want more than we're being given, but we're satisfied," he told reporters.</p>

<p>"We cannot refuse or reject anything during the war from the biggest military aid, which is coming from the United States and the United Kingdom. There are many other friends in Europe, but I'm talking about volumes of help and I'm grateful for it," he said.&nbsp;</p>


The UK government will send more military aid in the form of much-needed defence equipment to Ukraine in its fight against Russia, Prime Minister Boris Johnson told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The UK government will send more military aid in the form of much-needed defence equipment to Ukraine in its fight against Russia, Prime Minister Boris Johnson told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. In one of many regular phone calls between the two leaders on Saturday, Johnson said Britain would provide more mobility vehicles, drones and anti-tank weapons as he condemned ongoing attacks by Russian forces against civilian targets, including in Mariupol, Odessa and Lviv. He also updated Zelensky on new UK sanctions imposed against members of the Russian military and confirmed that the UK would be reopening its embassy in Kyiv next week as a show of support and solidarity with the Ukrainian people. Also read | Ukraine war: Russia's 'special military operation' enters third month The Prime Minister confirmed that the UK is providing more defensive military aid, including protected mobility vehicles, drones and anti-tank weapons. President Zelenskyy thanked the Prime Minister for the training of Ukrainian military personnel currently taking place in the UK, a spokesperson for 10 Downing Street said in a readout of the call. The Prime Minister said that Russia would be held to account for its actions and that the UK government was helping collect evidence of war crimes. He also updated the President on new UK sanctions designations against members of the Russian military and confirmed that the UK would be reopening its embassy in Kyiv next week, demonstrating our support and solidarity with theUkrainian people, the spokesperson said. President Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin are both due to meet United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in the coming week. Watch | Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Kharkiv says Over 700 killed since invasion started Ahead of planned meetings, Johnson and Zelensky agreed on the importance of establishing a ceasefire and humanitarian corridor to allow civilians to leave Mariupol. The Prime Minister said that Russia would be held to account for its actions and that the UK government was helping collect evidence of war crimes, Downing Street said. Both leaders discussed how the UK will work with partners to develop a long-term security solution for Ukraine and the Prime Minister noted the discussions taking place with international partners to provide further financial support, including at the G7 Finance Ministers' meeting last Wednesday, the statement added. Zelensky updated Johnson on the situation in the Donbas, where Russia is now seen concentrating its military efforts in a conflict that broke out in February. Also read | 'We want to see the sun': Heart-breaking video of children holed up in embattled Mariupol emerges. Watch In a press conference in a Kyiv metro station later on Saturday, Zelensky said he was "satisfied" with the level of military support coming from the UK. "We want more than we're being given, but we're satisfied," he told reporters. "We cannot refuse or reject anything during the war from the biggest military aid, which is coming from the United States and the United Kingdom. There are many other friends in Europe, but I'm talking about volumes of help and I'm grateful for it," he said.

UK promises more military aid to Ukraine to combat Russia

<p>Shakhtar Donetsk will play European clubs in a series of charity matches with the proceeds to be spent on aid for people in Ukraine affected by the Russian invasion, the Ukrainian club said on Friday.</p>

<p>The Ukrainian Premier League side have not played since Russia invaded the country in February in what Moscow calls a "special military operation".</p>

<p>The first charity match is against Olympiakos in Athens on Saturday, followed by games against Lechia Gdansk (April 14), Fenerbahce (April 19) and Hajduk Split (May 1).</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/uefa-opens-disciplinary-proceedings-against-atletico-madrid-for-discriminatory-behaviour-after-man-city-tie-469439">UEFA opens disciplinary proceedings against Atletico Madrid for 'discriminatory behaviour' after Man City tie</a></p>

<p>"We want to talk about war and peace in Ukraine through these matches. About the terrible war that Russia unleashed against Ukraine, about the suffering and destruction that this war brought to our country," Shakhtar CEO Sergei Palkin said.</p>

<p>"About peace – the need to end this madness, return to normal life and rebuild the country. Our messages are simple: stop war in Ukraine and football for peace – that says it all."</p>


Shakhtar Donetsk will play European clubs in a series of charity matches with the proceeds to be spent on aid for people in Ukraine affected by the Russian invasion, the Ukrainian club said on Friday.

Shakhtar Donetsk will play European clubs in a series of charity matches with the proceeds to be spent on aid for people in Ukraine affected by the Russian invasion, the Ukrainian club said on Friday. The Ukrainian Premier League side have not played since Russia invaded the country in February in what Moscow calls a "special military operation". The first charity match is against Olympiakos in Athens on Saturday, followed by games against Lechia Gdansk (April 14), Fenerbahce (April 19) and Hajduk Split (May 1). ALSO READ: UEFA opens disciplinary proceedings against Atletico Madrid for 'discriminatory behaviour' after Man City tie "We want to talk about war and peace in Ukraine through these matches. About the terrible war that Russia unleashed against Ukraine, about the suffering and destruction that this war brought to our country," Shakhtar CEO Sergei Palkin said. "About peace – the need to end this madness, return to normal life and rebuild the country. Our messages are simple: stop war in Ukraine and football for peace – that says it all."

Shakhtar to start peace-themed tour with proceeds going to Ukraine aid

<p>Supermodel Gigi Hadid, like most of us is disturbed with the Russia-Ukraine crisis as she pledged to donate her entire Fashion Month earnings towards relief efforts for the people of Ukraine. She announced on Instagram today that she will donate all the fashion weeks’ money.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Gigi Hadid wrote, “Having a set fashion month schedule has meant that my colleagues and I often present new fashion collections during heartbreaking and traumatic times in history. We don’t have control over most of our work schedules, but we would like to walk ‘for’ something. Following in the footsteps of my friend [and fellow model] @micarganaraz, I am pledging to donate my earnings from the fall 2022 shows to aid those suffering from the war in Ukraine, as well as continuing to support those experiencing the same in Palestine.”</p>

<p>&nbsp;“Our eyes and hearts must be open to all human injustice,” wrote Hadid. “May we all see each other as brothers and sisters, beyond politics, beyond race, beyond religion. At the end of the day, innocent lives pay for war—not leaders. HANDS OFF UKRAINE. HANDS OFF PALESTINE. PEACE. PEACE. PEACE.”</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/no-batman-no-cannes-here-is-the-list-of-sanctions-imposed-on-russia-so-far-458930" hreflang="en">No Batman, No Cannes: Here is the list of sanctions imposed on Russia so far</a></p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/madonna-reacts-to-russia-ukraine-crisis-stop-putin-no-more-war-458730" hreflang="en">Madonna reacts to Russia-Ukraine crisis: Stop. Putin no more war!</a></p>

<p>Check out her post here:</p>

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<p>This is not the first time that the fashion world has spoken to help awareness about the current humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. Previously, Ukrainian talents like Bevza designer Svitlana Bevza and model Eugenia Dubinov have both shared their experiences directly from Kyiv. Also, Balenciaga show designer Demna Gvasalia dedicated his show to the resiliency of Ukrainians. Major brands and retailers such as Nike, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton have stopped exporting to Russia altogether.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/angelina-jolie-lands-in-yemen-to-help-refugees-amid-ukraine-russia-war-459827" hreflang="en">Angelina Jolie lands in Yemen to help refugees amid Ukraine-Russia war</a></p>


Supermodel Gigi Hadid, like most of us is disturbed with the Russia-Ukraine crisis as she pledged to donate her entire Fashion Month earnings towards relief efforts for the people of Ukraine.

Supermodel Gigi Hadid, like most of us is disturbed with the Russia-Ukraine crisis as she pledged to donate her entire Fashion Month earnings towards relief efforts for the people of Ukraine. She announced on Instagram today that she will donate all the fashion weeks’ money. Gigi Hadid wrote, “Having a set fashion month schedule has meant that my colleagues and I often present new fashion collections during heartbreaking and traumatic times in history. We don’t have control over most of our work schedules, but we would like to walk ‘for’ something. Following in the footsteps of my friend [and fellow model] @micarganaraz, I am pledging to donate my earnings from the fall 2022 shows to aid those suffering from the war in Ukraine, as well as continuing to support those experiencing the same in Palestine.” “Our eyes and hearts must be open to all human injustice,” wrote Hadid. “May we all see each other as brothers and sisters, beyond politics, beyond race, beyond religion. At the end of the day, innocent lives pay for war—not leaders. HANDS OFF UKRAINE. HANDS OFF PALESTINE. PEACE. PEACE. PEACE.” No Batman, No Cannes: Here is the list of sanctions imposed on Russia so far Madonna reacts to Russia-Ukraine crisis: Stop. Putin no more war! Check out her post here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gigi Hadid (@gigihadid) × This is not the first time that the fashion world has spoken to help awareness about the current humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. Previously, Ukrainian talents like Bevza designer Svitlana Bevza and model Eugenia Dubinov have both shared their experiences directly from Kyiv. Also, Balenciaga show designer Demna Gvasalia dedicated his show to the resiliency of Ukrainians. Major brands and retailers such as Nike, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton have stopped exporting to Russia altogether. Angelina Jolie lands in Yemen to help refugees amid Ukraine-Russia war

Supermodel Gigi Hadid will be donating Fashion Weeks earnings towards Ukraine aid

Dance, food and festivals! Things you should know about the Ukrainian culture

<p>Ukraine's parliament voted on Tuesday to fire Health Minister Maksym Stepanov, accusing him of failing to supply adequate vaccine doses to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.</p>

<p>Ukraine is among the European countries most affected by the pandemic and has lagged in its vaccination efforts, with only 948,330 Ukrainians having received their first vaccine dose as of May 18 out of a population of around 41 million.</p>

<p>"The main task that the minister faced for 2021 was vaccination and the provision of Ukraine with a sufficient amount of vaccines in the first half of this year. Progress on this issue is very slow," Prime Minister Denys Shmygal told parliament. Shmygal last week formally asked parliament to sack Stepanov.</p>

<p>"(So far) 2.3 million doses of vaccine have been delivered to Ukraine, which is hard to call the effective work of the Health Minister," the prime minister said.</p>

<p>Stepanov, in turn, said that he did everything possible to combat the epidemic and he has a plan on how to create an effective medical system. He said the country could receive 42 million doses of various vaccines this year.</p>

<p>Ukraine has registered more than 2 million infections and 48,469 deaths since the start of the pandemic last year.</p>

<p>Parliament, which votes to appoint ministers, might consider Stepanov's replacement on Thursday.</p>


Ukraine's parliament voted on Tuesday to fire Health Minister Maksym Stepanov, accusing him of failing to supply adequate vaccine doses to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ukraine's parliament voted on Tuesday to fire Health Minister Maksym Stepanov, accusing him of failing to supply adequate vaccine doses to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Ukraine is among the European countries most affected by the pandemic and has lagged in its vaccination efforts, with only 948,330 Ukrainians having received their first vaccine dose as of May 18 out of a population of around 41 million. "The main task that the minister faced for 2021 was vaccination and the provision of Ukraine with a sufficient amount of vaccines in the first half of this year. Progress on this issue is very slow," Prime Minister Denys Shmygal told parliament. Shmygal last week formally asked parliament to sack Stepanov. "(So far) 2.3 million doses of vaccine have been delivered to Ukraine, which is hard to call the effective work of the Health Minister," the prime minister said. Stepanov, in turn, said that he did everything possible to combat the epidemic and he has a plan on how to create an effective medical system. He said the country could receive 42 million doses of various vaccines this year. Ukraine has registered more than 2 million infections and 48,469 deaths since the start of the pandemic last year. Parliament, which votes to appoint ministers, might consider Stepanov's replacement on Thursday.

Ukraine's parliament fires health minister over COVID-19 vaccine shortage

The White House has barred John Bolton's manuscript and said that it cannot be released because the manuscript outlines conversations US President Donald Trump had with him that he would like to continue withholding aid to Ukraine until the Ukrainian authorities conduct investigations into Democrats, including former Vice President Joe Biden, one of Trump’s top 2020 rivals, and Mr Biden’s son.

White House blocks Bolton's book, Contains classified information

Former national security adviser John Bolton wrote in a draft of his forthcoming book that Donald Trump told him in August that he wanted to freeze aid to Ukraine until the country aided investigations into Democrats, including the Bidens. The Republicans have denied wrongdoing in his dealings with Ukraine. On January 27, Trump denied telling Bolton anything about his decision to hold up aid to Kyiv and said he hadn’t seen the manuscript of the coming book.

White House could block Bolton testimony

United States Former national security adviser John Bolton confirms in his new book President Donald Trump in August told him that he wanted to continue holding military aid to Ukraine until the country helped with investigations into Democrats, including former Vice President Joe Biden. Watch the video for more information.

Trump linked Ukraine aid to Biden inquiry | WION News | World News

Trump had Ukraine aid withheld, Reveals Bolton's new book

<p>Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Wednesday welcomed International Monetary Fund &#39;s (IMF) decision to release additional aid worth $1 billion to the strife-torn country. The aid package had been held up in part on corruption concerns.&nbsp;<br />
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Poroshenko said IMF&#39;s approval to release the funds showed that the world recognises that Ukraine was carrying out reforms.<br />
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The $17.5 billion program is intended to help stabilise the country after the 2014 ouster of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych. Kiev had been waiting for the release of the lending since August last year.&nbsp;<br />
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Stressing that&nbsp;a Russian attempt to undermine the IMF&#39;s decision had failed, Poroshenko said that the aid would also help keep the Ukrainian hryvnia currency stable and maintain macroeconomic stabilisation.&nbsp;<br />
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<h5>IMF managing director Christine Lagarde said Ukraine had shown &quot;welcome signs of recovery&quot; despite long odds, with inflation receding and activity rising.</h5>
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&quot;...the Fund&#39;s resolution has sent a signal to the aggressor, who has tried to throw sand in our wheels even at the (IMF) board meeting. Russia&#39;s attempts to undermine the solidarity of the IMF with Ukraine, and to disrupt the decision on this tranche have failed. The Kremlin lost in this operation. Reforms make us stronger. At the same time, our ability to withstand external aggression has became stronger,&quot; Poroshenko was quoted as saying by Reuters.&nbsp;<br />
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The country has suffered deep economic decline after two years of war, with GDP contracting 9.9 per cent in 2015. Wednesday&#39;s decision by the IMF Executive Board brings the total amount disbursed to about $7.62 billion, the Fund said in a statement, according to AFP.&nbsp;<br />
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Despite Ukraine&#39;s failure to meet several program targets, including on limiting debt, boosting reserves and easing foreign exchange restrictions, the Fund&#39;s Executive Board said it approved the disbursement.&nbsp;<br />
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IMF managing director Christine Lagarde said Ukraine had shown &quot;welcome signs of recovery&quot; despite long odds, with inflation receding and activity rising.<br />
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&quot;While the social and economic cost of the crisis has been high, growth is expected to be higher in the period ahead,&quot; she said, however, Lagarde pointed out that the progress was far from recovery.&nbsp;<br />
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The $1 billion approved on Wednesday was short of the $1.6 billion expected in the latest tranche of lending but the Fund did not explain the difference.<br />
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(WION with inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</p>


The $17.5 billion program was intended to help stabilise the country following the 2014 ouster of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Wednesday welcomed International Monetary Fund 's (IMF) decision to release additional aid worth $1 billion to the strife-torn country. The aid package had been held up in part on corruption concerns. Poroshenko said IMF's approval to release the funds showed that the world recognises that Ukraine was carrying out reforms. The $17.5 billion program is intended to help stabilise the country after the 2014 ouster of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych. Kiev had been waiting for the release of the lending since August last year. Stressing that a Russian attempt to undermine the IMF's decision had failed, Poroshenko said that the aid would also help keep the Ukrainian hryvnia currency stable and maintain macroeconomic stabilisation. IMF managing director Christine Lagarde said Ukraine had shown "welcome signs of recovery" despite long odds, with inflation receding and activity rising. "...the Fund's resolution has sent a signal to the aggressor, who has tried to throw sand in our wheels even at the (IMF) board meeting. Russia's attempts to undermine the solidarity of the IMF with Ukraine, and to disrupt the decision on this tranche have failed. The Kremlin lost in this operation. Reforms make us stronger. At the same time, our ability to withstand external aggression has became stronger," Poroshenko was quoted as saying by Reuters. The country has suffered deep economic decline after two years of war, with GDP contracting 9.9 per cent in 2015. Wednesday's decision by the IMF Executive Board brings the total amount disbursed to about $7.62 billion, the Fund said in a statement, according to AFP. Despite Ukraine's failure to meet several program targets, including on limiting debt, boosting reserves and easing foreign exchange restrictions, the Fund's Executive Board said it approved the disbursement. IMF managing director Christine Lagarde said Ukraine had shown "welcome signs of recovery" despite long odds, with inflation receding and activity rising. "While the social and economic cost of the crisis has been high, growth is expected to be higher in the period ahead," she said, however, Lagarde pointed out that the progress was far from recovery. The $1 billion approved on Wednesday was short of the $1.6 billion expected in the latest tranche of lending but the Fund did not explain the difference. (WION with inputs from agencies)

IMF resumes bailout for war-torn Ukraine after long delay, releases  $1 billion

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