IMF urges continues reforms in Ukraine, sees lower growth in Russia

WASHINGTON, July 3 (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund on Thursday called on Ukraine to continue its economic reforms and its national revenue strategy as its fight against Russia's invasion continues, and said Russia's economy was now slowing sharply.

IMF spokeswoman Julie Kozack told a regular briefing that recent developments in Russia suggested that its economic growth could be lower than the 1.5% projected by the IMF in April. She said the global lender would update its forecast in July.

She said the slowdown reflected cyclical factors after last year's overheating, lower oil prices and the impact of tighter Western sanctions.