Maduro Confirms “Respectful” Call With Trump, Signals Openness to Diplomatic Dialogue 
Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
U.S. Expected to Expand Travel Ban to More Than 30 Countries 
California Launches Portal for Reporting Alleged Misconduct by Federal Immigration Agents 
Australia Progresses AUKUS Review as U.S. Affirms Strong Support 
Trump Administration Halts Immigration, Green Card, and Citizenship Processing for 19 Countries 
Honduras Election Turmoil Deepens as Nasralla Alleges Fraud in Tight Presidential Race 
Cuba Reaffirms Anti-Drug Cooperation as Tensions Rise in the Caribbean 
U.S.-Russia Talks Leave Ukraine Peace Efforts Uncertain 
Trump’s Name Appears on U.S. Institute of Peace Ahead of Rwanda–Congo Deal Signing 
Michael Dell Pledges $6.25 Billion to Boost Children’s Investment Accounts Under Trump Initiative 
Pentagon Probe Finds Hegseth’s Use of Signal Risked Exposing Sensitive Yemen Strike Details 
UN General Assembly Demands Russia Return Ukrainian Children Amid Ongoing Conflict 
China’s Expanding Maritime Military Presence Alarms Taiwan and Japan 
Honduras Election Turmoil Intensifies as Nasralla Blames Trump for Shift in Results 
Trump Administration Tightens H-1B Visa Vetting With New Focus on Free Speech and Censorship 
As Russia continues its invasion into Ukraine, countries are scrambling to provide financial assistance to tackle the humanitarian crisis from the conflict. The International Monetary Fund recently approved more emergency funding for Ukraine as it continues to resist Russian aggression.
The executive board of the International Monetary Fund has approved $1.4 billion in emergency funding for Ukraine as it fights off Russian forces for the third week. The organization made the announcement in a statement Wednesday.
“This disbursement…will help meet urgent balance of payment needs arising from the impacts of the ongoing war and will provide critical support in the short time while playing a catalytic role for financing for other partners,” said the statement by the IMF.
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said following the meeting that the invasion is the cause of Ukraine’s humanitarian and economic crisis. Georgieva also predicted that Ukraine would be brought into a recession this year due to the impact of the ongoing conflict.
“The Russian military invasion of Ukraine has been responsible for a massive humanitarian and economic crisis. Financing needs are large, urgent, and could rise significantly as the war continues,” said Georgieva.
The release of funds would be made through IMF’s Rapid Financing Instrument, providing rapid funding to member countries without the need for a program.
The $1.4 billion in emergency funding is added to the $700 billion the IMF disbursed to Ukraine back in December and $2.7 billion in emergency reserves or IMF Drawing Rights that Ukraine received as part of an allocation back in August 2021.
Russian forces have so far been met with fierce resistance from Ukrainian soldiers and civilians. The invasion has drawn widespread condemnation and sanctions from many countries. In the midst of the ongoing chaos in Ukraine, the foreign ministers of both sides engaged in talks in the hopes of finding a diplomatic solution to the war.
However, no breakthrough was made from the round of talks between Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov. Kuleba said that there was a discussion on a 24-hour ceasefire, but no progress came from the discussions as Lavrov defended the invasion and saying it was going as planned.
