Ukrainian PM calls work with IMF mission on EFF review challenging

MOSCOW. Sept 10 (Interfax) - It would be premature to announce results of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission's work with Ukraine on the fifth review of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), as the negotiations have not been easy, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmygal said on Tuesday.

"It's a hard job, a difficult mission. I say this with full responsibility that negotiations with the IMF are difficult and present numerous challenges, as the mission is looking ahead to 2025," Ukrainian media cited Shmygal as saying.

The work is challenging because the sides are discussing what the Ukrainian budget should be in 2025, he said.

The IMF Board of Directors finalized the fourth review of the Extended Fund Facility for Ukraine and approved the fifth disbursement of about $2.2 billion (SDR1.66 billion) on June 28. The budget is due to receive $1.1 billion (SDR834.9 million) after the fifth review planned for the end of September.

The IMF mission for the fifth EFF review is working in Kiev on September 4-10. As reported earlier, the talks are focused on the capacity for accumulating domestic resources to meet state budget needs.