IMF Tells Ukraine Wage Increases Must Be Vetoed

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- The International Monetary Fund said economic and financial conditions in Ukraine had stabilized but said it needs assurances that wage increases approved by the country's parliament will be vetoed before any further collaboration.

"The mission found that the economic and financial situation in Ukraine is stabilizing as a result of policies under this [IMF] program," an IMF mission to Ukraine said in a statement following discussions with the authorities on the country's $16.4 billion IMF loan program.

Still, the mission said it needs assurances that "the wage and pension law approved by Ukraine's parliament, the Rada, this week, which is at odds with the objectives of the authorities' program, will be vetoed."