Russia and West crank up economic pressure on Ukraine

Russia has cranked up the pressure by ending discounts on its natural gas supplies, while the US and European Union offered quick-fix aid to the beleaguered government.

To help Ukraine in the longer term, International Monetary Fund (IMF) experts began work here on a plan to stabilise the near-bankrupt country’s finances and failing economy. The IMF’s help is expected to come with conditions that will be tough, but at this point inevitable.