EU Countries to Challenge IMF Chief's Plans to Resume Relations with Aggressor Country Russia

Several EU countries intend to challenge the plans of the head of the International Monetary Fund to resume economic relations with the aggressor country Russia for the first time since its invasion of Ukraine.

This was reported by Bloomberg.

‘Several EU countries intend to challenge in a conversation with the head of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Georgieva, the institution's plans to cooperate with Russia on economic issues for the first time since its invasion of Ukraine,’ the report said.

As noted, at a meeting of EU envoys on 11 September, France, Belgium and Poland, as well as a number of Baltic and Nordic countries, said they were surprised by the IMF's decision earlier this month to resume annual economic reviews with Russia.

According to Bloomberg's sources, a Lithuanian official said that the country plans to raise the issue directly with Georgieva during a lunch meeting with European finance ministers in Budapest on 13 September.

The diplomat added that they believe the move offers Russian leader Putin economic assistance and the appearance of legitimacy as the EU and the US seek to isolate Russia.

The Lithuanian representative also said that the first mission of a major international organisation to Russia since the February 2022 invasion could be used by Moscow for propaganda purposes to show that its international isolation is weakening, the sources said.

According to them, the EU also plans to send a letter to Georgieva, which is expected to be signed by several EU members, expressing concern about the process, which is likely to lead to normalisation of relations with the Kremlin.

According to Reuters, the IMF has confirmed that a mission will visit Russia to discuss the country's ‘economic development and policies’.

Earlier, Ukraine also expressed concern over reports that the International Monetary Fund plans to resume cooperation with Russia and send a mission to Moscow.