Ukraine finance minister says ‘all options on the table’ for debt

Finance Minister of Ukraine Natalie Jaresko has warned creditors that "all options were on the table" as the economic outlook for the war-torn country worsens.

Answering the questions of the Financial Times, Jaresko called for members of the creditors’ committee to identify themselves.

"We only know one of the members. For the government to directly start talking to them, they need to be transparent and tell us who they are," she said. She added that there were legal issues surrounding creditors’ refusal to reveal their identities.

Analysts say unless they know who investors are, it could be impossible for the Ukrainian authorities to reach non-disclosure agreements allowing them to reveal sensitive information in negotiations that should not be used for trading, the Financial Times said.

Analysts suggested Jaresko’s reference to "all options being on the table" was a hint the government was prepared if necessary to impose a moratorium or suspension of debt servicing.

"My goal in this process is to get people talking and get to the table," Jaresko said in the interview with the Financial Times.

Last week the Finance Ministry of Ukraine and the creditors’ committee exchanged mutual accusations of the non-readiness to constructive talks.