**European Countries Pledge More Aid to Ukraine, Consider New Sanctions on Russia**
The Weimar+ group of countries has announced plans to increase aid to Ukraine while considering new sanctions on Russia. The group, which includes foreign ministers from Spain, Germany, France, Italy, Britain, and Poland, as well as EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, called on Russia to agree to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.
**Russia Refuses Ceasefire**
Moscow has refused a full 30-day ceasefire agreed upon by the US and Ukraine in Jeddah on March 11. Russian forces have continued to attack Ukrainian cities, despite earlier claims that they had imposed a moratorium on such strikes since March 18.
**Weimar+ Countries Pledge Support**
The Weimar+ countries pledged to ramp up military, political, and humanitarian aid for Ukraine and warned that they are prepared to impose further sanctions on Moscow. Any future peace agreement must include reliable security guarantees for Ukraine, the group said.
**Ukraine Receives Additional Funding**
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved an additional $400 million in funding for Ukraine as part of its Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program. The funds will provide Kyiv with budget support over four years.
**Russia Fights Back**
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov downplayed reports of Russian troops’ disappearance during an exercise at a training ground near the Lithuanian city of Pabrade. However, Ukrainian authorities have detained three men, including a Russian sleeper agent.
**US to Provide Additional Military Aid**
The US has announced plans to provide additional military aid to Ukraine, including support for its air defense, artillery, satellite communications, and maritime capacity. The package includes $540 million in funding.
**Ukraine’s Defense Efforts**
Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said Ukraine’s main tasks are holding defensive lines and stabilizing threats, which have been partially achieved, particularly in the Pokrovsk direction.
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