Bloomberg reports that Russia is exploring strategies to try to block the International Monetary Fund's next loan payment to Ukraine

  • Russia bought the bond from the government of Ukrainian leader Viktor Yanukovych in December 2013, before he was overthrown and Russian forces annexed Crimea
  • Ukraine proposed the security be included in a restructuring of debt held by private creditors. Russia has refused to accept the terms, insisting the bond is a loan between governments, rather than commercial debt.
  • At stake is whether Ukraine receives the next $1.7 billion installment in its $17.5 billion bailout from the IMF.

Bloomberg cites unnamed sources. More detail here.