Yulia Svyrydenko: Ukraine is interested in continuing successful cooperation with the IMF

Ukraine is interested in continuing its successful cooperation with the IMF. This was emphasised by Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko during her meeting with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva in Washington on the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings.

The Prime Minister thanked the IMF for its consistent support to Ukraine. “At a time when other wars and conflicts are unfolding around the world, it is critically important for us to remain in focus internationally. The IMF’s role here is especially important, as all partners and donors look to the Fund,” noted Yulia Svyrydenko.

The IMF programme is a top priority for the Ukrainian Government. The key benchmarks of this programme bring Ukraine closer to the EU and create conditions for building a modern, competitive and transparent European-style economy.

“We agreed that, in the context of the ongoing full-scale invasion, it is important for Ukraine to retain flexibility in meeting structural benchmarks,” the Prime Minister stressed.

According to her, russian attacks on Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure make cooperation with the IMF even more important. “Macroeconomic stability is the foundation of our resilience and of support for our Defence Forces. Most state budget revenues go to defence, while international assistance – which the IMF helps mobilise – covers critical social spending and the functioning of the state,” Yulia Svyrydenko emphasised.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the results of the previous IMF cooperation programme, which became a historic success: no country has completed eight reviews while fighting a full-scale war.

The first tranche of USD 1.5 billion under the new four-year Extended Fund Facility was already received in March. The Ukrainian Government is committed to ensuring this programme is equally successful, despite the brutality of the ongoing russian war.

Yulia Svyrydenko informed the Managing Director about the joint steps being taken with Members of Parliament to pass the first review. The Verkhovna Rada has adopted legislation on the military levy and taxation of digital platforms, and the competition for the Head of the State Customs Service has been completed.

“We are ready to continue working on reducing the shadow economy, advancing reforms, and strengthening Ukraine’s investment attractiveness. We are now awaiting the IMF mission’s visit to Kyiv in May,” the Prime Minister concluded.