Sergii Marchenko met with the Minister of Economy and Finance of Italy and the Minister of Finance of Japan

Minister of Finance of Ukraine Sergii Marchenko held several meetings while on a working visit to the USA, namely with Italian Minister of Economy and Finance Daniele Franco and Japanese Minister of Finance Shun'ichi Suzuki.

At the meeting with the Italian Minister of Economy and Finance Daniele Franco, the parties discussed the possibility of a new loan program to stabilize the economy of Ukraine during the active phase of the war. Details of the program will be announced later.

Sergii Marchenko thanked Daniele Franco for the timely and extremely necessary financial support of our country. In particular, the Italian government was one of the first to provide funding in the form of a grant of EUR 110 million, which was received by Ukraine in the first days after the outbreak of war.

"Thanks to Italian support to protect priority budget payments during the war. Pensions, social assistance, and salaries are paid on time, and we are increasing payments for military needs. It is important for us to ensure uninterrupted functioning of the economy and financial system soon", said the Minister of Finance of Ukraine.

The meeting with the Japanese Minister of Finance Shunichi Suzuki was also effective.

Ukraine has already had the decision of the Japanese government to provide financial aid of USD 100 million. During the personal meeting, the Japanese Minister of Finance supported Ukraine's request to increase its financial aid to USD 300 million.

"Financial assistance from our international partners, in particular from Japan, is extremely important for the Ukrainian government to work to its full potential so that we can continue to provide all the necessary services to our people. We continue to discuss with our partners another important instrument of assistance to Ukraine - the providing of 10% SDR of donor countries through a special administrated account of the IMF", said Sergii Marchenko during a meeting with Shun'ichi Suzuki.

During the meetings, Ukraine's Finance Minister noted the need to increase sanctions pressure on Russia and proposed a special import duty or tax on Russian energy imports. Revenues from this additional collection could also be used to benefit Ukraine for humanitarian needs and a reconstruction fund.