The U.S. said Thursday that it will give nearly $23 million in additional humanitarian aid to Ukraine, totaling more than $135 million in assistance to Ukraine since its conflict with Russia began in 2014.
The aid is to assist an estimated 3.1 million people in Ukraine, including children and disabled and elderly individuals, by providing food, clothing, medical supplies and care, among other items, to those hurt by the conflict with Russia.
The funding will be given to organizations such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Secretary of State John Kerry said in Kiev.
Ukraine is in a territorial dispute with Russia, which began when Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.
Last year, the U.S. implemented a peace agreement signed in Minsk, Belarus, which would increase sovereignty for Eastern European states. While Ukraine has maintained its part of the agreement, U.S. officials say Russia has not, as the country has not withdrawn heavy weapons from Ukraine or established a cease-fire.
On Wednesday, President Obama pressured Russian President Vladimir Putin to adhere to the Minsk agreement. Obama also advised Putin to reduce fighting in east Ukraine.
According to Kerry, Putin was agreeable and said he wanted to take steps to eliminate conflict. Kerry said the U.S. and the European Union will reduce their sanctions on Russia if it adheres to the Minsk agreement.
“If Russia chooses the path of de-escalation and full implementation of Minsk, the international community, all of us, will welcome it,” Kerry said at a press conference. “If Russia does not move in the directions of embracing that possibility and de-escalating, then the sanctions will remain in place.”
