KIEV, April 24 - International Monetary Fund staff has endorsed a $17 billion loan to Ukraine to help the government pay its debts amid a projected economic contraction of 5% this year, Bloomberg has reported, citing government officials who have seen the recommendations.

The staff's report was delivered to the IMF Executive Board late on April 22, according to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal documents. The staff proposed an April 30 board meeting to consider the loan package, they said.