Ukrainian Railways to buy 40 diesel locomotives with U.S. Export-Import Bank loan

MOSCOW. April 11 (Interfax) - Ukrainian Railways can buy up to 40 diesel locomotives with a $156.6-million loan preliminary approved by the Export-Import Bank of the United States.

The project will be fully structured, and the agreement will be signed by the end of 2024, Ukrainian media said, citing the Ukrainian Restoration Ministry.

"Ukrainian Railways will get new locomotives with financial support of the United States. The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) has made a decision to grant Ukrainian Railways a $156.6-million loan for the procurement of 40 diesel locomotives," the ministry said.

EXIM President and Chair of the Board of Directors Reta Jo Lewis announced the decision at a meeting with Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister, Restoration Minister Alexander Kubrakov in Kiev. Other participants in the meeting were U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Economic Recovery Penny Pritzker, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink, and Ukrainian Railways CEO Yevgeny Lyashchenko. The decision was made with the consent of the U.S. government.

"Announcing such cooperation at a high level sends an important message to international business regarding work in Ukraine," Kubrakov said.

The agreement is an example of efforts of the U.S. government and private sector towards greater stability and capacity of Ukraine's strategic enterprise, Pritzker said.