Ukraine asks for big EU loan during gas standoff

BRUSSELS (AP) — Ukraine has asked the European Union for an additional loan of $2.5 billion as it struggles to cope with the implications of its standoff with Russia.

EU Commission spokesman Simon O’Connor said Tuesday that the Ukraine request for the 2 billion euro loan will be “evaluated in consultation with the IMF and Ukrainian authorities.” However, he insisted that the EU’s executive office “remains very committed to supporting Ukraine in line with earlier commitments.”