- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

IMF Delaying New Loan to Ukraine Signals Shift in West's Stance Towards Kiev

© AFP 2023 / TOBIAS SCHWARZUkrainian President Petro Poroshenko wipes his brow during a press conference with his German and French counterparts following talks at the chancellery in Berlin on August 24, 2015
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko wipes his brow during a press conference with his German and French counterparts following talks at the chancellery in Berlin on August 24, 2015 - Sputnik International
Subscribe
On Sunday it was reported that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) postponed the third review of its loan program to Ukraine. According to sources, the decision was surprising and was provoked by a decision by the Ukrainian government to suspend cargo transportation with Donbass areas not controlled by Kiev.

Visitors are silhouetted against the logo of the International Monetary Fund at the main venue for the IMF and World Bank annual meeting in Tokyo in this October 10, 2012 file photo. - Sputnik International
IMF Postpones Third Review of Ukrainian Loan Program - Finance Ministry
Later, the delay was confirmed by the Ukrainian Finance Ministry.

"The IMF Executive Board postponed for a short period looking into the third review of increased loans to Ukraine, which was planned for Monday," the ministry said in a statement.

The planned meeting was expected to result in the disbursement of a $1 billion loan to Kiev.

The blockade of railway tracks between the self-proclaimed Donbass republics and Ukraine began in late January by former participants of military operations in Donbass. It has led to disruptions in deliveries of anthracite coal to Kiev-controlled territories. The blockade led to irregularities in supplies of anthracite coal from Donbass, leading to power shortages in Ukraine and prompting Kiev to declare an energy emergency.

There have been a series of reports that Western governments were critical of the blockade and its following legitimization by Poroshenko.

Ukrainian military veteran walks along rails as he takes part in a blockade against ongoing trade with Russian-backed insurgents, on February 23, 2017, in Kryvyi Torets railway station, Donetsk region - Sputnik International
Kiev 'on Verge of Losing Donetsk and Lugansk' With Donbass Blockade
In particular, in a recent phone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, top French diplomat Jean-Marc Ayrault expressed dissatisfaction over the blockade.

According to a statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry, "Ayrault confirmed that France wants the blockade of Donbass to be ended."

Earlier, the blockade was criticized by German Foreign Ministry spokesperson Martin Schaefer who said that Kiev’s actions deepen separatist tendencies in Donbass. He added that the Ukrainian government was not actively opposing the activists, which blocked the cargo traffic.

A Ukrainian serviceman holds a weapon at a position on the front line near the government-held town of Avdiyivka, Ukraine, February 10, 2017 - Sputnik International
Trump: US Ideally Seeks Peaceful Solution to Ukraine Conflict
According to political analyst and economist Alexander Dudchak, by postponing its review of a new loan, the IMF came up with a handy excuse for not paying to Ukraine.

"There is no need for the IMF to help keep the Ukrainian economy afloat. Moreover, the expected loan of $1 billion would not have a significant impact on the economic situation in Ukraine," Dudchak told the Russian online publication Vzglyad.

The expert pointed out that the move by the IMF is important because it signals that the West has changed its stance towards Ukraine.

"Previously, economic and financial tools were used to force Kiev to make certain political steps in the interests of the United States and its Western partners. But now there is no need for that. That’s finished. Kiev is on a track it can hardly turn away from. There is no need for a demonstrative financial policy anymore," Dudchak said.

He added that Ukraine is failing to observe its financial obligations, including to Russia, and no country will do business with such a partner.

"The Ukrainian economy is de facto nearing a default, but Kiev doesn’t want to admit that. On the other hand, I think that Ukraine will continue to receive some financial assistance from abroad, but sufficient only to keep the political elite in power, rather than to rebuild its economy," the expert added.

Kryvyi Torets station in the village of Shcherbivka in Donetsk region, Ukraine. (File) - Sputnik International
Full Transport Blockade of East Ukraine 'Pushing Donbass Away' From Kiev
In turn, according to Ukrainian economist Alexander Okhrimenko, in fact, the West does not have economic reasons not to unveil a new tranche of financial support for Kiev. However, according to unofficial information, US President Donald Trump took umbrage at Poroshenko for not coordinating the cargo blockade of Donbass with US Ambassador to Kiev Marie Yovanovitch.

"In other words, Poroshenko made free with the situation and forgot that he should coordinate his actions with Washington. As a result, the IMF delayed a new loan," Okhrimenko told Vzglyad.

At the same time, the economist noted, Kiev does not really need that money so much.

"This year, Ukraine has to settle its old loans to the IMF, some $1.3 billion, and $2 billion in other debts. Kiev needs a total sum of $3.5 billion. Now, Ukraine’s gold and exchange reserves are nearly $15.4 billion. So, Ukraine has money for that," he said.

Nevertheless, the decision by the IMF is a blow to the reputation of the Ukrainian government.

"They explained their reforms, including an increase in tariffs and taxes, with the requirements from the IMF. But now the situation is that reforms have been implemented but the IMF double-crossed Kiev," the economist concluded.


Never miss a story again — sign up to our Telegram channel and we'll keep you up to speed!

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала