Sweden critical of IMF's trip to Russia

Civil servants from the International Monetary Fund, IMF, are expected to visit Russia later this autumn.

In a letter to IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva, finance ministers from the Nordic countries, the Baltic States, and Poland write that the visit will undoubtedly be used for propaganda purposes by the Russian regime and may signal that relations with Russia are being normalized. The finance ministers also warn that the IMF's reputation may be significantly damaged.

The IMF visit will be the first since Russia launched its full-scale war against Ukraine in February 2022.

The IMF initially proposed that the meeting be held in another country, but ultimately accepted Moscow's demand to travel to Russia, according to sources for Politico.

The IMF responds to the criticism by stating that it has an obligation under the IMF agreement to hold consultations with member countries. Russia is one of them.