Ukraine's finance minister hopes for $16.8 billion loan from IMF

The International Monetary Fund is considering the possibility of providing Ukraine with a $16.8 billion loan under a stand-by cooperation program, Ukraine's Finance Minister Oleksandr Shlapak said.

"We have been offered the highest 800% quota, which is virtually $16.8 billion," Shlapak told reporters before the Ukrainian government meeting on Friday.

"When we talk about the IMF stand-by program, it has two options: a 200% quota or an 800% quota, which is the highest amount a country can get," the minister said.