IMF board approves $15.6 billion loan for Ukraine -statement

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FILE PHOTO: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo is seen outside the headquarters building in Washington, U.S., September 4, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas/File Photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The International Monetary Fund’s executive board on Friday approved a four-year $15.6 billion financing package for Ukraine as part of a $115 billion total international support package, as Russia’s invasion stretched into a second year, the IMF said.

The decision is expected to mobilize large-scale concessional financing from Ukraine’s international donors and partners to help resolve Ukraine’s balance of payments problem, attain medium-term external viability, and restore debt sustainability, the fund said in a statement.

It said the new Extended Fund Facility would allow the immediate disbursement of around $2.7 billion to Ukraine.