Ukraine War, Year 2, Day 51. Poland Delivers MiG-29s to Ukraine / Prigozhin Says Russia Should Go on the Defensive / Kiev Gets $5 Billion in Additional Funds

UPDATE 8:00 Japan offers 400 million dollars for Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts

Japan has signed an agreement to provide Ukraine with $400 million for reconstruction efforts, according to a Facebook post by the Ministry of Reconstruction.

The Japanese government agreed for the first time with the financing plan on March 30.

The funds were distributed to the Critical Infrastructure Emergency Recovery Program, which is intended to provide the basic needs of citizens by restoring critical infrastructure that was damaged due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Under the economic recovery program, funds will be allocated primarily for humanitarian assistance, including the provision of medical equipment, demining and education, among other initiatives.

In addition to this grant, the Japanese government has pledged $70 million for recovery efforts under the United Nations Development Programme. In total, Japan intends to donate more than 600 million dollars for the reconstruction of Ukraine this year.

Ukraine’s reconstruction costs were estimated at $411 billion on March 23.

UPDATE 3:24 – The Russian ambassador claims that the USA threatened Russia for the arrest of Gershkovich

Russia’s ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, told state-run Channel One that the United States had threatened Russia with what he described as “retaliatory measures” if Russia refused to release the reporter from Wall Street Journal, Evan Gershkovich.

UPDATE 2:41 – Russian forces attack the Sumy region with explosives and shells

The military administration of the Sumi region reported on Telegram that Russian troops attacked a community in the Sumi region on April 14.

UPDATE 1:35 – Poland will “gradually” supply MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine

Polish President Andrzej Duda said during a press conference on April 14 that Poland would “gradually” transfer MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine as Poland waits for its own air fleet to be replenished with modern aircraft from Americans.

Prigozhin says that Russia should end the active phase of the war

The press service of the founder of the Wagner Group, Evgheni Prigojin, published a text on Friday, April 14, in which it is stated that the “ideal option” would be for Russia to end the active phase of the war and “enter firmly” into the occupied territories.

“The ideal option would be to announce the end of the conflict, to inform everyone that Russia has achieved the planned results and, in a way, we have achieved them,” wrote Prigozhin.

According to Prigojin, Russia’s main task in the future should be “establishing and firmly rooting” in the occupied territories.

At the same time, Prigozhin acknowledged that Ukraine is a “completely nationality-oriented state” rather than one that sees itself as part of Russia.

Putin promulgates the law on the electronic system of incorporation into the army

Putin has promulgated a bill to establish electronic enlistment procedures, with the aim of making military mobilization more efficient and eliminating loopholes.

A website that charts legislative proceedings said Putin signed the law, which was approved this week by the State Duma, the lower house of parliament.

Russia says it mobilized 300,000 people last year to help bolster its “special military operation” in Ukraine.

INITIAL NEWS

Ukraine secured pledges of $5 billion in additional funding to support its continued fight against Russia at “fruitful meetings” in Washington this week, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal told reporters.

Shmyhal met with representatives of the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the European Investment Bank, as well as high-ranking US officials, on the sidelines of the spring meetings of the IMF and the World Bank.

He said Ukraine had received new promises of additional support from Switzerland, Denmark and a number of other countries during the meetings, as well as an agreement from US aircraft manufacturer Boeing to release Ukrainian companies from previous commitments of 200 millions of dollars. Kiev expects to receive even more support during an upcoming conference in London, he added.

“International partners have assured us of their long-term support,” the prime minister said, describing his meetings in Washington and referring to a total of $115 billion in funding over the next four years, which was mobilized through the approval of to the IMF of a loan of 15.6 billion dollars.