Ukraine's PM calls on partners to intensify cooperation with IMF

Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has called on partners to promote the intensification of cooperation with the International Monetary Fund, as the IMF is a pillar of the country's further financial development.

He said this at the Yalta European Strategy (YES) meeting on Sunday, Ukrinform reports, citing the government's website.

"In 2014-2015, when this war began, we had good relations with the IMF. The fund was really a leader in supporting Ukraine. We then received $17 billion. The IMF was quite responsive at the start of the full-scale invasion in March when we got very quick help from them. Now, unfortunately, we are dragging on. We hope and work with our partners to speed up cooperation and response from the IMF, which is meant to support countries in a situation like we are facing," Shmyhal said.

He said Ukraine spends a lot of money on financing the army and social obligations: pensions, payments to IDPs, demining.

According to Shmyhal, international partners help Ukraine finance about 40% of its budget.

"The United States and the European Union have taken leadership positions in this area of support. In particular, this week there were talks with Germany's Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen regarding the prospects for ending this year and work in the next year," Shmyhal added.