Statement by IMF Mission to Ukraine

Author (Corporate)
Series Title
Series Details 20.03.14
Publication Date 20/03/2014
Content Type

In the context of the serious economic situation in Ukraine (and with the ongoing political and security tensions within Ukraine and with Russia as further factors) the IMF said on the 20 March 2014 that at the request of the Ukrainian authorities, an International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission led by Mr. Nikolay Gueorguiev has been working in Kyiv since 4 March 2014.

The fact-finding phase of its work was completed by 14 March 2014, and at the request of IMF management the team started negotiations with the Ukrainian authorities on a programme of economic reforms that could be supported by the IMF.

The IMF announced on the 27 March 2014 that it had 'reached a staff-level agreement with the authorities of Ukraine on an economic reform program that can be supported by a two-year Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) with the IMF. The financial support from the broader international community that the program will unlock amounts to US$27 billion over the next two years. Of this, assistance from the IMF will range between US$14-18 billion, with the precise amount to be determined once all bilateral and multilateral support is accounted for'

The IMF development paralleled action by the EU in March 2014. The European Commission had proposed on the 19 March 2014 new macro-financial assistance (MFA) to Ukraine of up to €1bn in medium-term loans. The new MFA programme, expected to be approved by the EU's Council of Ministers in the coming weeks, was part of the package of support to Ukraine announced by the European Commission on 5 March 204 and endorsed by the European Council on 6 March 2014. It was intended to assist Ukraine economically and financially in view of the critical challenges it was facing, notably a very weak and rapidly worsening balance-of-payments and fiscal situation, which was being worsened by the crisis.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://www.imf.org/external/np/sec/pr/2014/pr14116.htm
Related Links
http://www.imf.org/external/country/UKR/index.htm http://www.imf.org/external/country/UKR/index.htm
ESO: Key Source: Euromaidan - Protests in Ukraine 2013 - 2015 - Key source http://www.europeansources.info/record/euromaidan-protests-in-ukraine-2013-2015/
ESO: Background information: EU/Ukraine: Commission proposes a further €1 billion in macro-financial assistance http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-eu-ukraine-commission-proposes-a-further-e1-billion-in-macro-financial-assistance/
European Commission: DG Economic and Fianncial Affairs: The EU as a borrower: Macro-Financial Assistance to non-EU countries http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/eu_borrower/macro-financial_assistance/index_en.htm
BBC News, 02.03.14: Ukraine on edge http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26407911
Deutsche Welle, 04.03.14: Crimea crisis further imperils Ukraine's economy http://dw.de/p/1BJbS
ESO: Background information: Commission embarks on ‘unprecedented’ venture with Ukraine http://www.europeansources.info/record/commission-embarks-on-unprecedented-venture-with-ukraine/
BBC News, 26.03.14: Ukraine agrees to 50% gas price hike amid IMF talks http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26758788
EurActiv, 27.03.14: IMF extends generous assistance to Ukraine http://www.euractiv.com/sections/europes-east/imf-extends-generous-assistance-ukraine-301186
IMF: Press Release, No.131, 2014: IMF Announces Staff Level Agreement with Ukraine on US$14-18 Billion Stand-By Arrangement http://www.imf.org/external/np/sec/pr/2014/pr14131.htm
BBC News, 27.03.14: IMF close to agreeing aid package for Ukraine http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26764262
The New York Times, 27.03.14: I.M.F. Prepares $18 Billion in Loans for Ukraine http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/28/world/europe/ukraine-bailout.html
The Guardian, 27.03.14: IMF agrees bailout for Ukraine http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/27/imf-agrees-bailout-ukraine-deal
BBC News, 28.03.14: Ukraine economy: How bad is the mess and can it be fixed? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26767864
The Guardian, 28.03.14: Congress approves Ukraine aid package http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/27/congress-approves-aid-package-ukraine
The New York Times, 27.03.14: Congress Approves Aid of $1 Billion for Ukraine http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/28/world/europe/senate-approves-1-billion-in-aid-for-ukraine.html
RIA Novosti, 03.04.14: Ukraine’s Economy Would Have Collapsed Without Russian Aid – IMF Chief http://en.ria.ru/world/20140403/189021258/Ukraines-Economy-Would-Have-Collapsed-Without-Russian-Aid--IMF.html

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