Ukraine receives large aid package from Germany and new IMF tranche - Monday brief

Ukraine receives $1.1 billion from IMF

Ukraine has received the sixth tranche of the joint program under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) of $1.1 billion.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal says that the funds have already been transferred to Ukrainian accounts and will be used to finance critical budget expenditures.

“In total, Ukraine has already received $9.8 billion from the IMF under this program,” he added.

Germany sends Ukraine large aid package

Germany handed over a new military support package to Ukraine, which includes IRIS-T, Patriot, and other air defense systems.

Among other things, the new aid package includes:

• 15 Leopard 1 A5 tanks;
• 2 Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft systems with spare parts;
• 30 MRAP armored vehicles with mine protection;
• PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer;
• 12 armored vehicles with kinetic defense systems;
• 7 Caracal air assault vehicles;
• IRIS-T SLM air defense missile system with missiles;
• IRIS-T SLS air defense missile system;
• 2 Patriot launchers;

The support package also includes generators, turnstiles, tents, 120 mm mortar ammunition, mines, demining equipment, and small arms ammunition.

US urges its citizens to leave Belarus immediately

The United States has urged its citizens to leave Belarus immediately and has updated its travel advisory to Level 4: Do Not Travel status due to existing dangers for Americans.

The advisory highlights the risks for US citizens, including the arbitrary enforcement of local laws by the Belarusian authorities, the risk of detention, and Belarus's support for Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Russian military stuck in the high seas while fleeing Syria - Ukrainian intelligence

Part of the Russian military got stuck in the high seas on a broken cargo ship Sparta during the evacuation from Syria.

“The cargo ship Sparta, which Russia sent to take its weapons and equipment out of Syria, broke down while underway - the fuel pipe of the main engine failed. The Russian crew is trying to fix the problem and is drifting in the high seas near Portugal,” Ukrainian intelligence writes.

Ukraine and the UK working on 100-year partnership deal – Zelenskyy

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone conversation with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. They discussed cooperation between the two countries.

They also discussed strengthening sanctions against Russia, particularly targeting Russia's shadow tanker fleet. Zelenskyy believes this will not only reduce Russia's ability to finance the war but also help protect the environment in the North and Baltic Seas.

"We also discussed the agreement on a 100-year partnership between our countries, which is currently under preparation," Zelenskyy said.

Russian tankers in Black Sea threaten environment and fund war – Zelenskyy

Russia uses all means to make money. An example of this is the tanker disaster in the Black Sea.

"Everyone can now see the consequences of the disaster in the Black Sea - the fuel oil polluting the coastline. Russia is using extremely old vessels, some as old as 50 years, exploiting anything it can just to make money," Zelenskyy said.