Russia Said to Plot Strategy to Block IMF Lending to Ukraine
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Kremlin could withhold assurance Ukraine can repay debt
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At stake is IMF’s next $1.7 billion loan disbursement
Russia is exploring strategies to try to block the International Monetary Fund’s next loan payment to Ukraine as a dispute between the two countries over a $3 billion bond comes to a head, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Russia bought the bond from the government of Ukrainian leader Viktor Yanukovych in December 2013, before he was overthrown and Russian forces annexed Crimea in a move that set off a conflict that has killed 8,000 people. Ukraine proposed the security be included in a restructuring of debt held by private creditors. Russia has refused to accept the terms, insisting the bond is a loan between governments, rather than commercial debt…
Russia Said to Plot Strategy to Block IMF Lending to Ukraine