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Mon, 16 Mar 2026

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 Ukraine's urgent fight on the financial frontline

The war-torn country is battling to secure crucial funding from the IMF and EU, as well as putting up taxes.

* Ukraine's finance minister, Sergii Marchenko, says keeping the economy stable is crucial to their fight against Russia and future membership in the EU.
* The EU has approved a €90bn loan to help cover Ukraine's budget shortfall over the next two years.
* A new tax increase was introduced in December 2024, bringing an additional $67.5bn into government coffers this year.
* Despite domestic revenue increases, Ukraine still faces a significant shortfall of around $45bn.
* The IMF has approved a loan package worth $8.1bn, including a requirement for digital platforms to pay more tax and reduced exemptions on value-added tax (VAT).
* Ukraine's central bank forecasts economic growth at 1.8%, while the IMF estimates growth at 1.8-2.5%.
* The estimated reconstruction and recovery bill for Ukraine is $588bn, almost two-and-a-half times the size of their economy.
* Business leaders are optimistic about the future despite ongoing challenges, with many foreign companies interested in investing in Ukraine.
* A shortage of skilled workers remains a significant challenge due to millions of people joining the army or leaving the country.