U.S. to back $2 billion in loanguarantees for Ukraine

WASHINGTON TueJan 13,

(Reuters) -The United States plans to provide up to $2 billion in loan guarantees toUkraine this year, the U.S. Treasury said on Tuesday, as part of a broaderinternational package to stave off bankruptcy.

Like othermajor donors to the country, Treasury said the guarantees would be contingenton the former Soviet republic remaining on track to meet the conditions of itsloan program from the International Monetary Fund. IMF officials are in Kievthis week to resume negotiations on the package, currently worth $17 billion.

Ukraine'sgovernment hopes the IMF's visit will lead to a bigger aid program as itseconomy has been pushed close to bankruptcy by a pro-Russian separatist war inthe east and the government faces huge debt repayments.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/...0KM1HL20150113