Ukraine calls on West to provide more financial aid - Finance Minister

Ukraine's Minister of Finance Natalie Jaresko has called on rich countries to provide Kyiv with additional financial assistance to ensure the growth of the Ukrainian economy, rebuild infrastructure and overcome the consequences of the conflict in the east.

"I cling to the notion that the G7 states, as well as, to be honest, the wider G20 today should support Ukraine in a significantly greater financial scale," she said in an interview with the Financial Times.

The matter concerns a unique opportunity to invest in the country, which "lived and died for the principles of freedom and democracy," she said.

According to her, the financial aid package of $40 billion provided to Ukraine by international financial organizations and the leading countries will help within four years stabilize the banking and financial system of Ukraine, but this is only the "first step."

Jaresko is currently holding meetings with private creditors, as well as officials in the world's major capitals.