The price Kiev must pay for IMF rescue: tackling vested interests

Ukraine's Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk reports on the work done during the first 100 days of his cabinet in Kiev, March 12, 2015. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

KIEV (Reuters) - With the first billions of dollars foreign aid in its pocket, Ukraine's government can now stay afloat long enough to embark on its radical reform drive, but the hard part is only just beginning.

Ukraine received the first $5 billion (3.4 billion pounds) on Friday of $17.5 billion in aid promised by the International Monetary Fund. But to receive the rest, it must implement reforms that mean taking on vested interests including pensioners, public sector workers and some of the country's most powerful oligarchs.