Ukraine Seeks Support From IMF
October 15, 2008At a news conference on Tuesday, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko dodged the question of whether Ukraine was seeking IMF help, instead offering broad assurances that there was no need for panic.
But a spokesman for the IMF said a delegation is due in Ukraine on Wednesday "to discuss economic policies."
The Ukrainian government has been forced to take emergency measures to rescue banks and stabilize the currency after a run on bank accounts this month, sparked by severe currency devaluation and a stock market crash.
Under an agreement reached with the IMF in 2004, Ukraine is entitled to draw up to $605 million in standby credits should the fund become necessary.
Ukraine is the fourth country in a matter of days to approach the IMF for help, following a path already tread by Hungary, Serbia and Iceland.