Highlights:
The United States has pledged to Ukraine an addition $335 million in security aid to help boost its military strength. The aid however is attached to a prerequisite that Ukraine pushes ahead with political reforms.
The announcement was made in Washington where Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko held a meeting with US Vice President Joe Biden at the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit.
Summary:
US Vice President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko held a luncheon in Washington at the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington where more than 50 world leaders are gathered.
The bilateral talks between the two leaders have yielded an addition $335 million pledge to Ukraine by the US that is targeted at improving the country’s military strength-.
The aid however has a prerequisite attached to it that dictates that Ukraine pursue political reform to stabilize the country.
Last year, the House Armed Forces Committee suggested providing some $300 million aid on the Ukrainian government and offered to “provide appropriate security assistance and intelligence support, including training, equipment, and logistics support, supplies and services, to military and other security forces” (Sic).
Kiev heavily relies on financial assistance from the IMF with a $17.5 billion bailout package which has been delayed because of corruption and deep political crisis which has resulted to the country losing hugely in terms of investors’ confidence.
Biden reminded Poroshenko that is country would only receive international economic assistance only if it forms a new government that is centered on reforms and cooperation with the IMF as well as an effective anti-corruption system.
Ukraine has been under civil unrest especially in the east with countries like Russia intervening in the war in Crimea between the government forces and rebels with several failed ceasefires.
