Ukraine Could Run Into Problems on Delayed IMF Financial Support

Ukraine could have problems paying Naftogaz’ bills for the heating season, as the IMF is expected to transfer the second tranche of a $17-billion loan programme only after the formation of a new government. 

"An (IMF) mission will come when a new government is in place," Finance Minister Oleksander Shlapak said on Tuesday.

Kiev repeatedly said it has funds to pay outstanding debts to Russia, but it never declared it has money to pay gas for the current season. 

‘The delay of the disbursement means that Kiev can only count on 760 million euros in aid from the European Union this year,’ Reuters wrote on Tuesday. 

The country expected the IMF’s funds in December.

"Naftogaz does not want to err and therefore we're working on additional funding, we're asking everyone we can,” Shlapak added.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian government is trying to strengthen its ties with the US. On Tuesday, Ukraine’s PM Arseniy Yatsenyuk met with U.S. Senator James M. Inhofe.

‘Among the key topics to discuss during the meeting were the issues of energy security and enhanced military-technical cooperation,’ reads a note released on Tuesday.