KIEV — Ukraine needs "financial mobilization" and further help from foreign backers to survive the economic crisis, Finance Minister Natalia Yaresko said on Friday, stressing that the country was meeting all its current foreign debt obligations. Economists have warned the country could face a drastic debt restructuring, unless international lenders beef up existing loan offers to plug an estimated $15 billion funding gap. "To win in this war, together with the military we need to carry out financial mobilization," Yaresko told parliament, underscoring the link between Ukraine's financial plight and the separatist conflict in its eastern regions. Talks with the International Monetary Fund on an existing $17 billion loan package have been overshadowed by hints from Russia it might demand early repayment of a $3 billion loan due to Ukraine violating its terms. – Reuters
