Ukraine: Is it time to buy?
Ukraine has signed a $17 billion loan deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), but could need another $15 billion to stay afloat, with a bond repayment looming in March.
Culverhouse and Christensen said the prospect of further aid for Ukraine made its debt looked attractive compared to high-yielding alternatives like Venezuela and Argentinathe latter of which suffered a partial default this year.
"There are good geo-political arguments as to why the official sector may stump up the additional financing," the economists wrote.
Ukraine's economy is seen shrinking 5 percent this year. Its currency has tumbled over 90 percent against the U.S. dollar, as inflation spirals and the country faces a cold winter without cheap gas supplies from Russia.
Read MoreRuble stabilizes but experts expect more pain
IMF representatives are due to return to Kiev for talks next month. Further aid will be conditional on the country progressing with both political and economic reforms.
Earlier this month, a leading Ukrainian official told CNBC the risk of a default was "minimal". Dmytro Shymkiv, deputy head of presidential administration, argued that 95 percent of the country was unaffected by the military conflict in east Ukraine, and hinted at the prospect of forthcoming IMF financial assistance.
Read MoreWill the IMF bring Ukraine in from the cold?
"We do have economic difficulties, but that is something that is going into the debate with the IMF," Shymkiv told CNBC on December 12.
However, Moody's Investors Service warned on Tuesday that the risk of a default was rising, with new credit from the IMF, the European Union and other official lenders likely to prove insufficient to cover debts.
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Ukraine: Is it time to buy?