Zelensky Discussed with the IMF Director the Volume Support Increase for Ukraine Due to Coronavirus

The parties also agreed to coordinate joint activities to expand programs of support for Ukraine by international partners During a telephone conversation, president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kristalina Georgieva discussed the possibility to increase the support volume for Ukraine against the background of the new coronavirus spread. This reported on Sunday the Ukrainian leader’s press service office. "We discussed the increase in the amount support for Ukraine from the fund during major challenges for economy related to the global pandemic. Ukraine realizes that today it is necessary to act actively and quickly to minimize the negative impact of the pandemic and the associated restrictions on the economy and welfare of citizens," - the Zelensky’s office quoted. Georgieva, as specified in the message, expressed support for Ukraine, "since the country faces enormous challenges in connection with the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19." The parties also agreed to coordinate joint actions to expand support programs for Ukraine by international partners, in particular, to increase their volume, the press service informed. Earlier, Zelensky called on the government to request financial support from the IMF to fight the new coronavirus. On March 20, the head of the National Bank of Ukraine, Yakiv Smolii said that Ukraine was discussing with the IMF the issue to provide Kiev with financial support for these purposes. According to him, the amount of support will depend on what are the needs for the particular program. In Ukraine, 63 cases of infection with coronavirus were recorded, three of them were fatal, one person recovered.