KYIV, Sept 16 - The virtual mission of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Ukraine on the first review of the Stand-By Arrangement will begin work later this month, IMF Spokesman Gerry Rice said at a traditional briefing in Washington on Thursday, declining to specify the dates.

He said he could not give any details about the timeline for the allocation of money or any possible extension of the program. Asked to comment on the statements by the representatives of the Ukrainian government, he said that discussions were continuing.