Ukraine's government started talks with the World Bank on Tuesday on a $700 million loan for emergency support to the agricultural sector this year and next, the farm ministry said.

The funds were required for small farmers and agricultural and food producers, the ministry said in a statement on the Telegram messaging app.

The agricultural sector is a key driver for Ukraine's economy but has been hit hard by Russia's invasion.

(Reporting by Yulia Dysa, writing by Olena Harmash, editing by Andrew Heavens)