MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Biden met with Poroshenko on Thursday, with the participation of US Secretary of State John Kerry, at the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, DC.
"According to Joseph Biden, forming a new government oriented on reform and cooperation with the IMF, opens up the possibility for the release of the third tranche of loan guarantees in the amount of $1 billion, as well as aid from other international financial institutions," a Thursday statement on Poroshenko’s website says.
Biden Tells Poroshenko US Moving Forward on $335Mln Security Assistance
Vice President Joe Biden told Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko that Washington was proceeding with its additional $335 million in security assistance to fund more advisors, training and non-lethal aid, the White House announced in a statement.
"The Vice President also informed President Poroshenko that the United States is moving forward with an additional $335 million in security assistance, which will fund additional advisors, training, and non-lethal assistance," the statement said on Thursday following their meeting.
Biden noted that Washington welcomed Poroshenko’s efforts to form a stable, reform-oriented government, but emphasized the enactment "of needed reforms" would be critical to unlocking international economic assistance such as the $1 billion in US loan guarantees.
The United States has provided Ukraine with two loan guarantees worth $2 billion and hundreds of millions in other assistance.
Meanwhile, the IMF has pledged a $17.5 billion bailout package for Ukraine in exchange for political reforms.
President Poroshenko also updated Biden about the coalition negotiations underway to establish a new Ukrainian government, one committed to a reform program that will include the IMF and EU requirements as well as the full implementation of its Minsk commitments.
