Businesses are constantly looking for ways to work and earn. It's not about superprofits, but rather about survival. Rostyslav Korobka, Vice President of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, spoke about the main challenges facing entrepreneurs today and ways to overcome them.
The International Monetary Fund has eased the conditions for a new financing program for Ukraine, moving prior actions to "beacons. " This means a deferral of compliance with requirements until mid-spring.
The Cabinet of Ministers will not submit the bill on mandatory VAT registration for individual entrepreneurs with a turnover exceeding UAH 1 million in February. This was announced by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko on February 13.
Ukraine expects official approval of a new $8. 2 billion IMF program in the coming weeks. This agreement will replace the existing credit facility and help maintain economic stability.
In Ukraine, after the heating season, an increase in electricity tariffs and other utility services is expected. The NBU explains this by the need to restore energy infrastructure after damage.
Ukraine seeks to soften an unpopular tax bill concerning VAT for individual entrepreneurs, which the IMF demands. This is a condition for unlocking more than $8 billion under the financing program.
As of February 1, 2026, Ukraine's international reserves increased to $57. 7 billion, setting a new historical record. The increase was due to external financing, which offset the NBU's currency sales and debt payments.
People's Deputy Yaroslav Zheleznyak announced that the parliament would postpone the consideration of financial bills for a month. This means that the IMF and EU issues will not be resolved before March.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping has called for the yuan to achieve global reserve currency status. Beijing aims to create a "powerful currency" for international trade and investment.
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva stated that Ukraine could become an "economic lion of Europe," but to do so, it needs to abandon electricity and heating subsidies. Expert Yuriy Korolchuk explained what this would mean for Ukrainians.
Financial analyst Serhiy Fursa explained the hryvnia exchange rate fluctuations by seasonality and NBU policy. He advises Ukrainians not to rush to exchange offices, but to consider government bonds with an annual rate of 16%.
The IMF has raised its global growth forecast for 2026 due to AI investments and easing US customs policy. The global economy is successfully adapting to challenges, demonstrating productivity growth.
Following a Russian strike on Kharkiv, over 400,000 people were left without electricity and heating, President Zelenskyy reported.
President Zelenskyy met with Kristalina Georgieva, the Managing Director of the IMF. They discussed a new financing program for Ukraine, which envisages support until 2029.
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko met with IMF head Kristalina Georgieva, inspecting the consequences of enemy attacks on Kyiv's energy facility. They discussed preparations for the adoption of the IMF support program for Ukraine.
The head of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Georgieva, has arrived in Kyiv for high-level talks. She will meet with the President of Ukraine, the Prime Minister, and the head of the NBU.
The Trump administration may ease sanctions against Venezuela to facilitate oil exports. The US plans to attract investment and unblock IMF assets to restore the economy.
Ukraine's international reserves grew by 30. 8% in 2025, reaching $57.3 billion, the highest figure in the entire history of independence. This was made possible by record financial support of $52.4 billion from international partners.
International financial institutions predict a prolonged slowdown of the Belarusian economy until 2026 due to sanctions and dependence on Russia. GDP growth of 1.4–1.8% and inflation of 7–7.5% are projected under the baseline scenario.
Following the ouster of Nicolás Maduro in early 2026, international creditors have intensified their struggle to recover Venezuela's $150-170 billion foreign debt. The main players are China, Russia, bondholders, and energy giants, while restructuring is complicated by US sanctions and a lack of cooperation with the IMF.
In 2025, Ukraine attracted over $52. 4 billion in external aid, of which more than 70% came from frozen Russian assets. These funds allowed for the full provision of social and humanitarian expenditures, while domestic resources were directed to security and defense.
Ukraine's government bonds rose on Monday after positive signs in peace talks to end the war. Some bonds reached their highest level since the sovereign debt restructuring.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced additional economic assistance to Ukraine totaling $2. 5 billion during a meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy. These funds will help Ukraine secure financing from the International Monetary Fund.
Ukraine announced a successful restructuring of GDP warrants worth $2. 6 billion, which will avoid significant payments in the post-war period. This transaction will strengthen debt sustainability and increase the country's budget predictability.
The Ministry of Finance of Ukraine has published a draft law on the introduction of VAT for individual entrepreneurs from 2027, which is intended to improve VAT administration for single tax payers. The changes envisage a reduction of the single tax rate from 5% to 3% for the 3rd group of individual entrepreneurs who reach the limit of UAH 1 million, and mandatory registration as a VAT payer.
China's economic growth slowed in November. Industrial production fell to a 15-month low, and retail sales showed their worst performance since late 2022.
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent discussed the Reconstruction Investment Fund, expanding Ukraine's ability to purchase US LNG, and financial support. Alvarez & Marsal has been appointed as the Fund's investment advisor.
The President of the European Council, António Costa, is confident that a decision on financing for Ukraine for 2026-2027 will be made at the December EU summit. He noted that the bloc is "very close to reaching a decision" amid the proposal of two options: a "reparations loan" or EU borrowing.
The Cabinet of Ministers must submit a bill to the Verkhovna Rada regarding individual entrepreneurs and VAT as one of the IMF's beacons. It provides for mandatory registration of VAT payers from January 1, 2027, for simplified taxpayers with a turnover of more than UAH 1 million.
The IMF welcomes discussions in Europe on the use of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. The Fund emphasizes compliance with international law and non-disruption of the functioning of the global monetary system.
