Analysis

IMF ready to cooperate with Ukraine’s next government

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said that it is ready to reengage in cooperation with Ukraine after the country holds a snap parliamentary election on July 21 and a new government is sworn in.

“Once the government has been formed, after the elections, we stand ready to discuss our further cooperation with Ukraine,” IMF communications director Gerry Rice told the Ukrainian press.

Saying he would not comment on political changes, Mr Rice declined to say what the effect the dissolution of Ukraine’s parliament and the resignation of its government will have on the stand-by arrangement the IMF has in place with the country.

“The IMF has had a strong partnership with Ukraine in recent years,” the communications director said, adding that the fund’s mission was continuing to negotiate with the Ukrainian authorities.

The IMF mission arrived in Kyiv on May 21 to review the implementation of the current stand-by arrangement and decide whether further tranches can be dispersed. Ukraine’s new president Volodymyr Zelensky is due to meet the delegation next week.