JohninMK Tue Jul 14, 2015 12:34 pm
Meanwhile Kiev's 'avert a financial catastrophe' department are in Washington seeing the boss, where it is all going swimmingly. Jaresko even took the opportunity to poke the bear with a stick again. Perhaps she felt safe in the US.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Ukraine’s debt to Russia amounting to $3 billion remains within the perimeter of the country’s debt restructuring transaction, Ukrainian Finance Minister Natalie Jaresko told Sputnik. “The Russian debt as you know is part of perimeter of our restructuring transaction. Nothing’s changed as of today as far as I am aware,” Jaresko said on the sidelines of the US-Ukraine Business Forum in Washington, DC on Monday.
In late 2013, Russia bought Ukraine’s sovereign debt eurobonds worth $3 billion. Ukraine is required to repay the full amount of the debt by the end of 2015. The country paid a $75-million installment to the debt last month.
In response to repeated inquiries, Russia has stated it would not restructure the debt. Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said earlier in July 2015 that Moscow will not write off the debt, and is ready to take Ukraine to court if necessary.
Read more: http://sputniknews.com/europe/20150714/1024583501.html#ixzz3frqflJEh
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Kiev has reached several agreements with American investors during Monday’s US-Ukraine Business Forum held in Washington, DC, Ukraine Economy Minister Aivaras Abromavicius told Sputnik. “Positively, there is an interest from US investors, and several deals have already been announced during this conference,” Abromavicius said on Monday.
Abromavicius explained that the private equity fund manager Horizon Capital announced an investment into Ukraine’s online store rozetka.ua. Moreover, the US agricultural trading giant Cargill also announced it will increase its investment into the building of the port in Yujniy in the south of Ukraine, he added. Abromavicius noted US businesses have shown particular interest in agriculture, food processing, the defense industry and information technology.
“Such number of investors was expected. As you have seen, the rooms were full, and so, unfortunately, many others who wished to attend this forum could not be accommodated,” Abromavicius said. The US-Ukraine Business Forum is held for the first time. It aims to help Ukraine become a more favourable place for American businesses. It brought together US government officials, CEOs and business leaders and Ukraine’s policymakers.
Ukraine's economy has been hit hard by the conflict between government forces and independence supporters in the country's southeast, who refused to recognize the coup-imposed nationalist government in Kiev in 2014. The Kiev authorities are trying to rescue the country's economy using international loans, including a $17 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which the organization approved in May 2014. To receive the IMF funds in full, Ukraine agreed to a severe austerity program that includes shedding 24,000 government jobs, raising taxes, privatizing state assets and withdrawing subsidies on natural gas.
Read more: http://sputniknews.com/europe/20150714/1024585854.html#ixzz3frrJJYHU
US President Barack Obama praised the visiting Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk for implementing ”much-needed reforms” and pledged to keep in place Washington’s sanctions against Russia. President Obama and Vice President Biden both expressed “unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity,” and underscored the United States’ commitment to maintaining sanctions on Russia “until it fully implements its obligations under the Minsk agreements.” The President and Vice President commended the Ukrainian government for the steps it has taken to implement its obligations under the Minsk agreements, including the submission to Ukraine's parliament of draft constitutional amendments on decentralization. Russia denies any meddling in Ukraine’s internal affairs and failure to implement the terms of the Minsk accords.
The President and Vice President also welcomed Kiev’s “ambitious economic reform agenda”, as well as the “government’s strong stand against populist measures that could undermine Ukraine's financial stability.” The leaders agreed on the importance of Ukraine passing additional reform measures, including in the energy sector, to fulfil its commitments to the IMF and other international financial institutions.
Arseniy Yatsenyuk arrived in Washington on Monday at the head of a high-powered delegation of Cabinet ministers to attend the US-Ukraine Business Forum, which closed later in the day. In his speech to close the forum Vice President Joseph Biden mixed high praise with pointed warnings for the Ukrainian Premier to start actively curbing and punishing corruption in his country.
Read more: http://sputniknews.com/us/20150714/1024587685.html#ixzz3frrVRupG