Serhiy Marchenko
The third day of the Ambassadors’ Conference concluded in Kyiv, where priorities were identified for attracting international assistance and supporting the energy sector. Diplomats were urged to intensify their efforts to get through the heating season.
Ukraine received the second IMF tranche of about $690 million under the four-year EFF program. The funds will be directed to support macro-financial stability and priority expenditures.
The Verkhovna Rada appointed a new Cabinet of Ministers headed by Serhii Koretskyi. Some ministers retained their positions, and a number of ministries were divided.
Prime Minister Serhiy Koretsky proposed appointing new ministers, including Shmyhal as first vice prime minister. The Rada will consider the proposal in the near future.
MP Zheleznyak reported that President Zelenskyy will propose Ihor Klymenko, who headed the Ministry of Internal Affairs, for the post of Minister of Defense. Fedorov will not retain his post due to the failure of the TCC reform.
The government forecasts an exchange rate of 51. 5 hryvnia per dollar and wage growth through 2029. The budget declaration envisages an increase in public debt and the deficit.
Military personnel on the front lines will be paid an average of 300,000 hryvnias under new contracts. The Cabinet of Ministers will launch the updated payment mechanism as early as June.
President Zelenskyy has appointed Oleksandr Zavitnevych and Serhii Marchenko to the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. Decree No. 445/2024 takes effect on the day of its publication.
The government has approved a draft Customs Code based on EU standards for accession to the union. The new rules will simplify logistics and customs procedures for businesses.
The Rada ratified the attraction of 90 billion euros from the EU for 2026-2027. The funds will be directed to defense and the budget, with repayment covered by Russian reparations.
Zelenskyy submitted a memorandum to the Rada regarding a 90 billion euro loan. To receive the funds, Ukraine must amend its tax and customs legislation.
The search for alternative sources of budget revenue for 2027 is currently underway.
The Ministry of Finance signed a memorandum on payment deferral with creditor countries. Debt repayment will begin in equal installments in 2035-2039.
Kyiv has attracted 90% of funds through the ERA Loans mechanism from the income of Russian assets. The EU plans to provide another 90 billion euros in loan support in 2026-2027.
Valdis Dombrovskis urges the US, Japan, and Britain to accelerate funding due to payment delays. Currently, only 15 out of 45 billion euros have been secured.
The Cabinet of Ministers appointed Orest Mandziy as the head of customs based on the results of the competition. The new head is expected to reform and ensure the transparency of the customs system.
The faction and ministers discussed draft laws to fulfill obligations to donors. According to Arakhamia, there was an open discussion on issues that concern society and on which financial aid depends.
Kyiv will only have enough finances until June, according to estimates, due to Hungary's blocking of EU aid and delays from the IMF. The NBU may begin direct lending to the state budget.
The Cabinet of Ministers plans to introduce a 5% military levy and VAT for individual entrepreneurs by April due to the budget deficit. The Ministry of Finance warns of possible restrictions on non-military payments.
Journalists have uncovered business ties between members of the commission for selecting the head of the State Customs Service and candidate Vladyslav Suvorov. The commission denies a conflict of interest, despite their past joint work.
The Ministry of Development has approved the composition of the group to prepare for the resumption of civilian flights. Experts will develop measures to protect critical infrastructure.
Ukraine received a grant of $690 million from Japan and Canada under the G7's ERA mechanism. The funds will be used to finance priority expenditures, including pensions and social programs.
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.
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 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 Verkhovna Rada has begun considering the draft law "On the State Budget of Ukraine for 2026". A vote on the document may take place 75 minutes after the discussion of reports by Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko and Budget Committee Chairwoman Roksolana Pidlasa.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has ordered an audit of state-owned energy and defense companies. He also initiated a review of ARMA and FDMU.
The Russian Federation has imposed economic sanctions against representatives of the Ukrainian government, including Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, Head of the Ministry of Finance Serhiy Marchenko, Advisor to the Minister of Defense Oleksandr Kubrakov, and Minister of Economy Oleksiy Sobolev. The reasons for these measures have not been reported.
Ukraine will receive the first financial proceeds from Japan from the revenues of frozen Russian assets in early 2026. This is part of the G7 countries' ERA mechanism worth $50 billion, which will go to finance the state budget expenditures.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is considering providing Ukraine with additional funding for gas purchases. This will help ensure the smooth passage of the 2025-2026 heating season, especially after Russia's intensified attacks on the energy system.