An International Monetary Fund mission visiting Kiev said on Friday it would recommend approval of a further $3.3bn in aid for Ukraine, while downgrading its annual growth forecast for one of the world’s most recession-battered economies.

Ceyla Pazarbasioglu, IMF mission chief to Ukraine, said Kiev could expect the third tranche from a $16.4bn standby loan granted last autumn within four weeks, pending approval by the fund’s board.