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Latest Developments in Ukraine: March 8

by VOA News

   For full coverage of the crisis in Ukraine, visit [1]Flashpoint
   Ukraine.

   For the latest developments of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine,
   all times EST:

   12:30 a.m.: The World Bank approved $723 million in financial support
   for Ukraine. The package voted on by the bank's board of executive
   directors includes $489 million in loans and guarantees, $134 million
   in grant financing and $100 million in parallel financing. The money is
   slated to help the Ukrainian government pay wages to hospital workers,
   pensions for the elderly and fund social programs for people at risk,
   the bank [2]said in a statement.

   The bank said it is working to create an additional $3 billion support
   package for Ukraine and will help support neighboring countries taking
   in refugees.

   "The World Bank Group is taking quick action to support Ukraine and its
   people in the face of the violence and extreme disruption caused by the
   Russian invasion," said World Bank President David Malpass in a
   statement. "The World Bank Group stands with the people of Ukraine and
   the region. This is the first of many steps we are taking to help
   address the far-reaching human and economic impacts of this crisis."

   12:00 a.m.: The U.S. is refuting Russian claims that its military is
   "preventing war" in Ukraine instead of causing it.

   "This is a flat out lie," U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price
   tweeted. "Russia's military operation is instigating a war in Ukraine.
   Ukraine does not want a war. #StopTheLies."

   Russia has tried to justify its invasion with various claims including
   saying it is protecting ethnic Russians in the country and is trying to
   "de-nazify" the country. Price referred to a statement by Russian
   Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov who said: "The goal of Russia's special
   military operation is to stop any war that could take place on
   Ukrainian territory or that could start from there."

References

   1. https://www.voanews.com/z/6932
   2. https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2022/03/07/world-bank-mobilizes-an-emergency-financing-package-of-over-700-million-for-ukraine