Ukraine finance minister lobbies lawmakers to back debt deal

Ukrainian Finance Minister Natalia Yaresko (R) walks past Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk during a government meeting in Kiev, August 27, 2015. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

KIEV (Reuters) - Ukraine's finance minister was lobbying lawmakers on Wednesday to secure parliamentary support for a government debt restructuring deal which international supporters have described as critical for the country's financial stability.

The proposed deal will be discussed by parliament on Thursday. It has been welcomed by the International Monetary Fund, whose $40 billion bailout programme hinged on cash-strapped Ukraine finding $15 billion through a restructuring.