KIEV, Ukraine, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- Ukraine, fast running out of cash, is awaiting the release of promised international financial aid of $40 billion to pay its bills.
There are fears the country, in conflict with pro-Russian separatists over its eastern territory and directly with Russia over payments for the natural gas it imports, is near bankruptcy and reliant on the International Monetary Fund for rescue. The IMF pledged $17 billion, earlier in February, but the funding has not yet been released.