Biden Stands By Ukraine But Warns On Corruption
U.S. Vice President used a landmark address to the Ukrainian parliament to deliver a message of steadfast American support, but also to call for more action against corruption. There was a standing ovation as he pledged the United States would never recognize Russia's annexation of Crimea. But Biden also said elected officials must remove conflicts of interest with their private business interests -- words possibly aimed at Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. (RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service)
That concludes our live-blogging of the Ukraine crisis for December 8. Check back here tomorrow morning for more of our ongoing coverage.
IMF Changes Rule On Debt For Ukraine, Russia Complains
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has changed a rule that would have blocked its financial aid program to Ukraine in the event the country defaulted on its debt owed to Russia.
IMF spokesman Gerry Rice said the executive agreed on December 8 to “change the current policy on nontoleration of arrears to official creditors," such as a government.
Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov criticized the decision as “hasty and biased,” saying it was taken “exclusively to the detriment of Russia."
"We are preparing documents for a court appeal," he added.
The move comes as cash-short Ukraine faces a December 20 deadline to repay Russia for a $3 billion loan.
Ukraine is restructuring its debts under an IMF-led $40 billion bailout program.
Defaulting on the Eurobond loan could have put the program at risk.