Germany backs giving EU's macro-financial aid to Ukraine, new special program with IMF - Kyiv

MOSCOW. Aug 8 (Interfax) - Germany supports the disbursement of the European Union's macro-financial assistance to Ukraine and the creation of a new special program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), German Finance Minister Christian Lindner told Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.

"Germany supports the disbursement of the EU's macro-financial assistance to Ukraine and the creation of a new special program with the IMF," the Ukrainian media said, citing a report of the Ukrainian government's press service following Shmyhal's online conversation with Lindner.

Last week, Ukraine officially applied to the IMF, asking it to draw up a new special program, the Ukrainian prime minister said.

"The letter was sent to the head of the IMF on Friday. We expect to receive relevant assistance from the IMF as soon as November-December of this year," he said.

The parties also discussed steps to rebuild Ukraine's infrastructure and networks and purchases of gas for the fall-winter period.

Lindner, in turn, offered assurances that Germany will help Ukraine receive the next 8 billion euros in macro-financial assistance from the EU as soon as possible and will take the lead in this process.

Furthermore, Germany supports the procedures launched by the Ukrainian government to defer its debt payments, as well as efforts aimed at creating a new special program with the IMF, he said.