02/18/2014
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Ukraine crisis: Russia to release new $2bn tranche
Russia will provide Ukraine with a new $2bn (£1.2bn) tranche of aid "this week", Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov has said.
In December, Moscow pledged $15bn to back Ukraine's struggling economy, but so far only $3bn has been transferred.
Russia had hinted it would freeze the aid until a new government is formed after Ukraine's PM quit last month.
The new tranche is seen as a boost to embattled President Viktor Yanukovych, who is facing mass protests.
In a separate development, Ukraine's opposition is planning to press for a vote in parliament on the return to the country's 2004 constitution - a move which would limit Mr Yanukovych's powers and could lead to snap presidential elections.