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Ukraine to start debt restructuring after talks with IMF — economy minister

Earlier this week, Moody’s agency has downgraded Ukraine’s long-term issuer and government debt rating to Ca from Caa3 with a negative outlook

© AP Photo/Sergei Chuzavkov

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Kiev to receive another €250 mln tranche as part of current EU assistance in April

PARIS, March 26. /TASS/. Ukraine intends to return to financial markets in 2017 after restructuring its sovereign debt, the country’s Economy Minister Aivaras Abromavicius told French Les Echos daily in an interview published on Thursday.

"The Ukrainian government chose the Lazard bank as an advisor in talks on restructuring its sovereign debt," Abromavicius said. "As soon as talks with IMF [International Monetary Fund] on financial aid are completed, Ukraine will launch negotiations with its creditors on debt restructuring. Our aim is to return to financial markets in 2017," the economy minister added.

Abromavicius also touched upon the issue of the current situation in the Ukrainian economy.

Earlier this week, Moody’s agency has downgraded Ukraine’s long-term issuer and government debt rating to Ca from Caa3 with a negative outlook. "The key driver of the downgrade is the likelihood of external private creditors incurring substantial losses as a result of the government's plan to restructure the majority of its outstanding Eurobonds," Moody’s said. "Ukraine's government and external debt will remain at very high levels even if these [economic, budget/debt and monetary] reforms are successful, and despite the lower debt levels achieved by the external debt restructuring," the agency noted.

"Everyone knows that Ukraine is going through the period of economic difficulties. Apart from that, it is in the complicated military situation, as ceasefire is still unstable. It lost a part of its territory and its industries," Abromavicius said.

The minister said that economic growth in Ukraine will fall by 5.5% in 2015, after a decline by 6.9% over the last year. Along with that, inflation will reach around 30%, he added.

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Soyuz rocket carrying Progress MS-29 cargo spaceship blasts off from Baikonur spaceport

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China urges restraint after Russia, Ukraine's exchange of attacks — foreign ministry

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WIPO members adopt Riyadh Design Law Treaty

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Press review: Russia fires missile at Ukraine plant and Biden forgives Kiev $4.65 bln debt

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, November 22nd

US, European officials suggest returning nukes to Ukraine — NYT

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Belarusian president believes humanity is on the brink of World War III

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Zelensky fine with conflict continuing due to Western help — Slovak PM

Robert Fico pointed out that "more and more evidence show that the West seeks to prolong the war in Ukraine for various reasons"

Russia’s re-election to UNCITRAL confirms its global reputation — Foreign Ministry

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Oreshnik missile to change course of Ukrainian conflict, Medvedev believes

Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said it in an interview

Russian embassy warns UK about dangers of calling for Moscow’s ‘defeat’

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Western air defense systems unlikely to intercept Russian missiles — France’s Le Monde

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Russia forced to roll out new weapons as West fuels conflict, Minsk says

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Russia hammers Ukrainian military-industrial facilities, energy sites over week

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Enemy has no countermeasures for Russia’s Oreshnik missile — Putin

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Commissioning of Oreshnik and new developments: Putin’s meeting with defense specialists

Here are the key statements, made during the meeting

Oreshnik can reach targets across entire Europe — missile troops commander

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Ukraine conflict entering decisive phase, Polish PM says

According to Donald Tusk, "no one knows how the conflict will end"

West irrational, fails to understand it cannot intercept Russia's new missiles — Kneissl

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Tehran to launch new centrifuges in response to IAEA anti-Iran resolution — statement

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Lukashenko tells Putin situation is "starting to get tense with Wagner"

The Belarusian leader noted that they want to go to Warsaw

Good relations between Moscow, Riyadh helping oil market stability — Medvedev

"Our friends are living in the Arab world," the politician noted

Enemy losses, mercenary intrigue, humanitarian aid: situation in Kursk Region

Over the day, the enemy lost 150 troops, four motor vehicles, an artillery piece and two mortars

Russia entitled to use weapons against military sites of states attacking it — Duma

"Russia has repeatedly stated that such actions will receive a response – and it will be a stronger one," Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin stressed

Western countries should 'be afraid, tremble' after Putin's statement — lawmaker

Andrey Kartapolov added that the special military operation in Ukraine "will continue its course until all tasks are completed"

US not seeking confrontation with Russia, but will continue assistance to Kiev — Pentagon

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US journalist calls US President Joe Biden’s government 'the fascist state'

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Ukrainian frontline may 'collapse' under onslaught of Russian forces — BBC

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Houthis say they attacked Israeli military base with hypersonic missile

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