WASHINGTON — The United States announced Wednesday that it is sending small unarmed drones, armored Humvees and other assistance to Ukraine in its fight against Russian-backed separatists. Lethal weapons were not included, to the dismay of some US lawmakers.
The International Monetary Fund's board signed off on a $17.5 billion four-year aid program for Ukraine on Wednesday, the second attempt in less than a year to pull the country's economy back from the brink of bankruptcy.
The program includes an immediate payment of $5 billion for general budget support to help stabilize Ukraine's listing economy.
The combined package of assistance is estimated at $40 billion.
Ukrainian oligarchs are delighted.