U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Geoffrey Pyatt has said the recent statement by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the threat to the program of assistance to Ukraine was another argument for the need to implement reforms.
“Further argument here for completing reload of Ukraine’s reformer-led government and zero tolerance for corruption,” he wrote on his Twitter account on Feb. 10, commenting on the relevant IMF statement published in the media.
As reported, on Wednesday IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde stated that it was hard for the IMF to continue its cooperation with Ukraine under the Extended Fund Facility program without a substantial effort to fight corruption.
“I am concerned about Ukraine’s slow progress in improving governance and fighting corruption, and reducing the influence of vested interests in policymaking. Without a substantial new effort to invigorate governance reforms and fight corruption, it is hard to see how the IMF-supported program can continue and be successful,” she said in a statement published on Wednesday.
“Ukraine risks a return to the pattern of failed economic policies that has plagued its recent history. It is vital that Ukraine’s leadership acts now to put the country back on a promising path of reform,” Lagarde said.
