While the world digests the recent Putin press conference in which he appeared to superficially soften his stance on the Ukraine, US SecState John Kerry lands in Kiev while the state department announced that sanctions against Russia are "coming in a matter of days", and as the US announces it is preparing a $1 billion aid package for the Ukraine, which despite the toned down rhetoric by Putin just lost the Gazprom discount for natgas due to non-payment meaning its reserves will be depleted even faster, suggesting a far greater urgency to providing funding for the Ukraine in what some have said is now a fight between Putin and the IMF, as the latter tries to drain what little funds remain in the nation, while the former urgently seeks to keep it afloat.
Here is how the WSJ lays out the itinerary:
- U.S.’s Kerry Arrives in Ukraine
- U.S. Pledges $1 Billion in Loan Guarantees to Ukraine – Officials
- U.S. to Provide Technical Support to Ukrainian Central Bank, Finance Ministry
- U.S. to Help Ukraine Trace Stolen Assets
- U.S. Sanctions on Russia Likely “Days” Away – Officials
And in pictures and tweet:
US Sec of State John Kerry has landed in Kiev for talks with Ukraine govt pic.twitter.com/hdwq2lsQdZ [5]
— Sarah Rainsford (@sarahrainsford) March 4, 2014 [6]
John kerry visits shrine in kiev and talks to locals pic.twitter.com/Dz6IV297WU [9]
— Sarah Rainsford (@sarahrainsford) March 4, 2014 [10]
US Sec State John Kerry arrived in Kiev with promise of fin & tech support 4 the interim govt. Working with Congress on $1bln assistance pkg
— Sarah Rainsford (@sarahrainsford) March 4, 2014 [11]
US + Ukrainian flags fly at Kiev airport where S/State John Kerry just landed pic.twitter.com/DypZmnITEa [7]
— Sarah Rainsford (@sarahrainsford) March 4, 2014 [8]
MORE: U.S. prepares $1 billion aid package as Secretary of State John Kerry arrives in the troubled Ukraine: http://t.co/6k62cw0lNk [12]
— The Associated Press (@AP) March 4, 2014 [13]
BREAKING: As John Kerry arrives in Ukraine, State Dept. official says sanctions against Russia coming in a matter of "days"
— CBS News (@CBSNews) March 4, 2014 [14]