US Secretary of state John Kerry has announced Washington is planning one billion US dollars in loan guarantees for Kiev and would consider other direct financial assistance.
In an interview on Wednesday, Kerry warned Russia it would be a "grave mistake" to embark on a military intervention in Ukraine.
"We’re hoping that Russia will not see this as sort of a continuation of the cold war. We don’t see it that way. I think Russia needs to be very careful in the judgements that it makes going forward here. We are not looking for confrontation," he said.
Kerry has also said it is urgent for Ukraine's interim government to enact reforms, curb corruption and prepare free and fair elections. In a White House statement on Wednesday, the US urged Ukraine to form an inclusive and multi-party government as they prepare for May elections.
The statement added that "outside actors in the region" should respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and support a democratically established transitional government.
