No Loan Talks with IMF until Gas Deal Reviewed

KIEV, March 2 (RIA Novosti) – Ukraine will start talks with the International Monetary Fund on a new loan only after reviewing its current gas contract with Russia, Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said on Friday. “As soon as we review gas prices, we return to the negotiating table with IMF,” Azarov said. “They [IMF] have been sending a clear message to us: once you get Russia’s decision, we are ready to sit down at the negotiating table.” The 2009 gas deal with Russia ties the price of gas to that of oil, which has risen sharply since 2009, boosting Ukraine’s gas bill. Kiev insi…

Read more