IMF warns Ukraine it will halt $40bn bailout unless corruption stops

Christine Lagarde says it is hard to see the programme continuing 'without substantial effort' to improve governance

The International Monetary Fund has warned it will halt its $40bn (28bn) bailout programme to Ukraine unless the conflict-torn eastern European country takes immediate action to tackle corruption.

The IMF's managing director, Christine Lagarde, said on Wednesday that "without a substantial new effort" to improve governance, it was hard to see how the Washington-based organisation could continue to provide financial help.