KIEV, March 25 - Finance Minister Oleksandr Shlapak said he was negotiating with the International Monetary Fund for a loan package of $15 billion to $20 billion because the economy had been severely weakened by months of political turmoil and mismanagement. He forecast a 3% contraction in the economy this year.

US President Barack Obama urged the IMF on Tuesday to reach agreement swiftly on a financial support package for Kiev, which would unlock additional aid from the European Union and Washington.