KIEV, March 2 - Finance ministers from the Group of Seven rich nations on Sunday pledged to throw a financial lifeline to Ukraine as long as the new government in Kiev agreed to pursue economic reforms sought by the International Monetary Fund.

"We are united in our commitment to provide strong financial backing to Ukraine," the G7 ministers said in a joint statement, Reuters reported. "The transition to a new government in Ukraine offers a unique opportunity to put in place urgently needed market-oriented reforms."