MOSCOW, July 29 (RIA Novosti) - Washington will provide Ukraine with $7 million in reconstruction aid for the country’s eastern regions, Reuters reported citing the US Vice President Joe Biden.
In a phone conversation with Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk, Biden said the reconstruction aid to parts of eastern Ukraine would amount to $7 million, including $1 million in new support. That will be contributions to the Red Cross and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for medical aid, access to drinking water, and small rebuilding projects, Reuters reported citing the White House.
In mid-April, Kiev launched a military operation in southeastern Ukraine, when a number of regions refused to recognize the legitimacy of the new government. The fighting intensified after Donetsk and Luhansk regions proclaimed themselves independent people’s republics. Hundreds of people, including civilians have died in both regions over the past months.
Moscow has described the ongoing military action as a punitive operation and has repeatedly called on Kiev to put an immediate end to the bloodshed. Russia’s Foreign Ministry has also urged the international community to intervene and investigate the crimes against humanity that occurred in Ukraine in recent months.