IMF says $21b loan needs overhaul if Ukraine loses eastern region

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says its just-announced US$17 billion (S$21.3 billion) rescue program for Ukraine would have to be overhauled if the country loses control of the economically important eastern region to pro-Russian separatists.

"Ukraine - and the authorities' program - is facing unprecedented risks," said the official program report, released on Thursday.

"Should the central government lose effective control over the east, the program will need to be re-designed."

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