Ukraine, creditors hold talks, aim to reach deal 'soon as possible' - joint statement

KIEV (Reuters) - Ukraine's Finance Ministry and its creditors said on Wednesday restructuring talks in Washington had been productive, leading to an agreement to continue negotiations under confidential terms, in an effort to reach a deal as soon as possible.

Ukraine is seeking to plug a $15.3 billion (£9.81 billion) funding gap, but negotiations with a creditor group led by Franklin Templeton have dragged on for three months as the two sides have been at odds over the need to write down the face value of sovereign bonds.