Kiev, Safar 28, 1436, Dec 20, 2014, SPA -- President Petro Poroshenko has asked the International Monetary Fund to increase its financial assistance to Ukraine, which faces a 15-billion-dollar budget shortfall and needs to hike defence spending to fund the fight against Russia-backed separatists, dpa reported. Poroshenko made the request during a phonecall with IMF chief Christine Lagarde, his office said on Saturday. -- SPA 17:58 LOCAL TIME 14:58 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/1307881