Zelenskyy rejects FT’s May 2026 election report, cites need for ceasefire
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday (11 February) that his government will only hold national elections once a ceasefire with Ru...
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board has completed the Seventh Review of the Extended Arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for Ukraine, enabling a disbursement of about $0.4 billion, which will be allocated for budget support.
This will bring the total disbursements under the IMF-supported program to $10.1 billion.
Ukraine’s IMF-supported program helps anchor policies that sustain fiscal, external, and macro-financial stability at a time of exceptionally high uncertainty. The EFF aims to support Ukraine’s economic recovery, enhance governance, and strengthen institutions with the aim of promoting long-term growth in the context of reconstruction and Ukraine’s path to EU accession, said IMF in statement.
“Russia’s war in Ukraine continues to take a devastating social and economic toll on Ukraine. In spite of this, macroeconomic stability is being preserved through skillful policymaking as well as substantial external support. The economy has remained resilient, but the recent growth slowdown is expected to persist in 2025 due to headwinds from energy needs and a tight labor market. Contingency planning is key to enable appropriate policy action should risks materialize," - Ms. Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the IMF, following the Executive Board discussion on Ukraine.
The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) has tightened monetary policy to respond to the rise in inflation, which remains mainly driven by food prices, while inflation expectations remain well anchored. Reserves remain adequate, sustained by continued sizeable external support. Overall, the outlook remains subject to exceptionally high uncertainty, the statement reads.
According to IMF statement, Ukraine’s performance under the program remains strong. The program remains fully funded, with a total external financing package of $148.8 billion under the baseline scenario and $162.9 billion in the downside scenario over the four-year period. This includes the full utilization of approximately $50 billion from the G7’s Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) Loans for Ukraine initiative.
IMF Executive Board welcomed the enactment of the tobacco excise tax law as a positive step to reinforce the authorities' commitment to implementing the National Revenue Strategy. To meet high-priority spending needs, the strategy’s accelerated implementation is considered as essential, including modernizing tax and customs services, reducing tax evasion, and aligning legislation with EU standards. Additionally, strengthening public investment management, improving medium-term budget planning, and enhancing fiscal risk management will contribute to sustainable growth, investment, and fiscal stability.
"While the financial sector remains stable, continued vigilance is necessary due to heightened risks. Addressing institutional weaknesses in the securities market regulator is crucial. Looking ahead, strengthening Ukraine’s capital markets infrastructure will be a key step in attracting foreign investment for reconstruction," - IMF stated and recommended to continue anti-corruption and governance reforms, including appointing a new head for the Economic Security Bureau, completing the audit of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and amending the criminal procedure code.
The United States and Azerbaijan signed a strategic partnership in Baku on Tuesday (10 February) encompassing economic and security cooperation as Washington seeks to expand its influence in a region where Russia was once the main power broker.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis arrived in Ankara on Wednesday, where Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held an official welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace, marking the start of high-level talks between the two NATO allies.
Europe heads into the Munich Security Conference, 13 February, amid deepening unease over U.S. policy, as President Donald Trump’s hard-line stance on defence, trade and territory fuels doubts about Washington’s long-term commitment to transatlantic security.
The European Union is preparing a further expansion of its sanctions against Russia, with Central Asia emerging for the first time as a distinct point of focus.
A senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader said on Tuesday that negotiations with the United States must remain focused on the nuclear issue and be grounded in realism, as Washington and Tehran prepare to resume talks mediated by Oman.
Türkiye’s national energy company, TPAO, has struck a new cooperation deal with U.S. energy giant Chevron, signing a memorandum of understanding to explore joint oil and gas exploration and production opportunities, the Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Ministry announced on Thursday.
Wall Street ended sharply lower on Tuesday as investors worried about artificial intelligence (AI) creating more competition for software makers, keeping them on edge ahead of quarterly reports from Alphabet and Amazon later this week.
U.S. stock markets finished mixed on Wednesday (28 January) as investors reacted calmly after the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged, a decision that had been widely expected and largely priced in.
The S&P 500 edged to a record closing high on Tuesday, marking its fifth consecutive day of gains, as strong advances in technology stocks offset a sharp selloff in healthcare shares and a mixed batch of corporate earnings.
Chevron is in talks with Iraq’s oil ministry over potential changes to the commercial framework governing the West Qurna 2 oilfield, one of the world’s largest producing assets, after Baghdad nationalised the field earlier this month following U.S. sanctions imposed on Russia’s Lukoil.
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