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US to offer financial assistance to Moldova and Georgia US to offer financial assistance to Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia
(about 2 hours later)
The US is offering new financial assistance to Moldova and Georgia, two former Soviet nations the west is seeking to lure towards Europe. The United States pledged millions of dollars in additional aid to Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia on Saturday, deepening American support to the Western-leaning countries on Russia's border.
Vice-president Joe Biden announced the aid in Kiev on Saturday during meetings with both nations' presidents on the sidelines of the new Ukrainian president's inauguration. Vice-president Joe Biden announced the extra aid, which must be approved by Congress, during a visit to Kiev for the inauguration of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.
Washington pledged $48m to Ukraine, $8m to Moldova and $5m to Georgia after Biden met the presidents of the three countries.
Secretary of state John Kerry, meanwhile, said on Saturday he was hoping for steps to ease tensions in Ukraine now that the new president has been sworn in.Secretary of state John Kerry, meanwhile, said on Saturday he was hoping for steps to ease tensions in Ukraine now that the new president has been sworn in.
Both Moldova and Georgia are pursuing association agreements with the European Union amid a regional crisis over Russia's actions in Ukraine.Both Moldova and Georgia are pursuing association agreements with the European Union amid a regional crisis over Russia's actions in Ukraine.
The White House says an additional $8m will help Moldova "advance its European aspirations”. The US is also sending $5m to Georgia to help economically vulnerable people living near Russian-controlled breakaway regions. The White House says the aid will target programs to demcoratic institutions and the economy, which will help Moldova "advance its European aspirations”. The new aid is in addition to the $2.7m announced in March. The US is also sending $5m to Georgia to help economically vulnerable people living near Russian-controlled breakaway regions, and "increase access to objective information by populations in the occupied territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia"
The aid follows President Barack Obama's announcement that the US will work to boost the military capacity of non-Nato countries near Russia, including Moldova and Georgia.The aid follows President Barack Obama's announcement that the US will work to boost the military capacity of non-Nato countries near Russia, including Moldova and Georgia.
Kerry told reporters in France he was "confident there are ways forward" and that included Russia's help in getting separatists to put away their weapons and relinquish buildings they are occupying.Kerry told reporters in France he was "confident there are ways forward" and that included Russia's help in getting separatists to put away their weapons and relinquish buildings they are occupying.
He said the hope was not to impose tougher penalties against Russia over its actions in Ukraine.He said the hope was not to impose tougher penalties against Russia over its actions in Ukraine.
Earlier Saturday, Ukraine's new president Petro Poroshenko said he wanted a dialogue with his country's east, where a separatist insurgency has taken hold.Earlier Saturday, Ukraine's new president Petro Poroshenko said he wanted a dialogue with his country's east, where a separatist insurgency has taken hold.
Kerry raised the possibility of a ceasefire and said it's important to begin to build Ukraine.Kerry raised the possibility of a ceasefire and said it's important to begin to build Ukraine.
He spoke in the French seaside town of Saint Briac that is home to his family's ancestral estate, on the 70th anniversary of D-Day.He spoke in the French seaside town of Saint Briac that is home to his family's ancestral estate, on the 70th anniversary of D-Day.
A day after attending international ceremonies to mark the allied invasion of France in Normandy, Kerry traveled to Saint Briac in the neighboring province of Brittany, where his mother's family has long owned property.A day after attending international ceremonies to mark the allied invasion of France in Normandy, Kerry traveled to Saint Briac in the neighboring province of Brittany, where his mother's family has long owned property.
Three US soldiers were killed during the liberation of the town in August, 1944, and Kerry placed a wreath at a monument "To the Americans" that overlooks the harbour.Three US soldiers were killed during the liberation of the town in August, 1944, and Kerry placed a wreath at a monument "To the Americans" that overlooks the harbour.