KIEV (Sputnik) — Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) European Department Poul Mathias Thomsen assured Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman of the fund's readiness to support Ukraine in implementing the necessary reforms, the Ukrainian Cabinet's press service said on Monday.
Earlier in the day, Groysman, who recently took the prime minister's office, met with Thomsen to discuss the aims and prospects of the new Ukrainian government, which relies on IMF assistance.
"The head of the IMF's European Department, Poul Thomsen, welcomed the formation of a new government and assured the readiness of the IMF to support Ukraine in implementing the necessary changes," the cabinet's press service said in a statement.
Last month, Groysman was appointed as the new Ukrainian Prime Minister. The previous government under Arseniy Yatsenyuk was in crisis since February when the country’s economic development minister resigned citing the slow pace of change and government corruption. Five other ministers initially followed his lead but later rowed back on their intention to quit.
Ukraine's economy has deteriorated since an armed conflict between government forces and militia in the country's southeast escalated in April 2014.
Last year, the IMF agreed on a four-year $17.5-billion assistance package to Ukraine to revive the country's economy and encourage a series of corresponding reforms. So far, Kiev has received two IMF tranches under the aid program.
