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IMF approves $17.5 billion loan programme for Ukraine


    WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund's board signed off on a $17.5 billion (11.7 billion pounds) four-year aid programme for Ukraine on Wednesday, the second attempt in less than a year to pull its economy back from the brink of bankruptcy.

    A statement from IMF Managing director Christine Lagarde did not provide details on how large an initial payment will be made to Ukraine or on what timetable.

    The IMF loan is expected to unlock further credits from other donors. Including debt talks with Kiev's bondholders, the total package of assistance for the country should be $40 billion, the IMF has said.

    (Reporting by Anna Yukhananov and Howard Schneider; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)