Ukraine's New Prime Minister: The Treasury Has Been Stripped And Tens Of Billions Are Missing

Ukraine PM Says $37 Billion Went Missing Under Yanukovich -- Reuters

(Reuters) - Ukraine's new prime minister said on Thursday loans worth $37 billion had gone missing from state coffers during ousted President Viktor Yanukovich's rule, and warned that unpopular measures were needed to salvage the economy.

With the hryvnia currency in freefall and concerns about the low level of foreign currency reserves growing, Arseny Yatseniuk said the country urgently needed loans from the International Monetary Fund, which is visiting Kiev next week.

The scale of alleged theft implied by Yatseniuk in a speech to parliament was jaw-dropping, even for a population now used to tales of Yanukovich's extravagance and lavish lifestyle, including his luxury residence outside Kiev.

The average salary in Ukraine is around $500 a month.

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More News On Reports That The Ukrainian Treasury Has Been Stripped Of $37 Billion

New Ukraine Leader Yatseniuk Says Ousted Government Stole $70B -- NBC/Reuters
New Ukraine premier accuses ousted regime of stripping Treasury -- Financial Times
Arseny Yatseniuk appointed Ukraine’s new prime minister amid crisis over ‘missing’ €27bn -- Euronews
New Ukraine PM: $37bn credit received 'disappeared' -- ITV
Yatseniuk: $37 billion credit received 'disappeared' -- Kyiv Post
$37 billion disappeared under Yanukovich rule: Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk -- DNA
Ukrainians stunned by ousted leader Yanukovich's Gatsby-like mansion and lavish lifestyle -- Sydney Morning Herald
Ukraine to seek international help to trace Yanukovich accounts, assets -- Reuters
US Treasury Tells Banks to Monitor Yanukovych Assets -- RIA Novosti
U.S. warns banks to watch for ousted Ukraine leader moving looted funds -- Reuters
Home no longer sweet for Ukraine's Yanukovich -- Reuters
An Unfinished Ukraine Palace and a Fugitive Leader’s Folly -- New York Times

My Comment: I am surprised that the new government was able to find a few hundred million left in their bank accounts .... I guess the fleeing Yanukovich regime were too busy running away to grab the last amount of money available.