Ukraine and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) held talks on Thursday to prepare a new programme providing expanded financing for 2026–2029, aimed at supporting the country’s economy and reconstruction efforts amid ongoing Russian attacks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he met with IMF Director Kristalina Georgieva, who arrived in Kyiv for her first visit since 2023.
“We appreciate the IMF’s readiness to continue supporting Ukraine and to make efforts toward the implementation of the new financing programme,” Zelenskyy wrote on X, thanking Georgieva for the Fund’s continued assistance.
He highlighted the impact of Russian strikes and severe winter weather on Ukraine’s energy and residential infrastructure, noting that the new IMF programme would help strengthen the country’s economic resilience.
A statement from Ukraine’s Presidential Office said the proposed financing would support macro-financial stability, fund critical defence and social needs, and assist in rebuilding Ukraine after nearly four years of war.
Georgieva reportedly assured Ukrainian officials that the IMF would continue efforts to finalise and implement the programme, which has been in development since autumn 2025.
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko welcomed Georgieva to Kyiv, where they visited a major energy facility damaged by Russian strikes. She praised the IMF chief’s “personal engagement in supporting Ukraine during this challenging time.”
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy said on Thursday that Ukraine is not an obstacle to peace, pushing back against comments made a day earlier by U.S. President Donald Trump who blamed him for the peace deal stall.
"We also talked about diplomatic work with America – Ukraine has never been and will never be an obstacle to peace," Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address, referring to a telephone conversation with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
Trump, interviewed by Reuters on Wednesday, said he believed Ukraine was less ready than Russia to clinch a deal. Asked why U.S.-led negotiations had not yet resolved the nearly four-year-old war, Trump responded: "Zelenskyy."
In his comments, Zelenskyy said Russia's continued attacks on Ukrainian energy sites and other targets demonstrated that Moscow did not want peace.
"It is precisely Russian missiles, Russian 'Shaheds,' (drones) and Russia's attempt to destroy Ukraine that are clear evidence that Russia is not interested in agreements at all," he said.
In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia agreed with Trump that Zelenskyy was holding up a deal, saying President Vladimir Putin and the Russian side remain open to talks.
Zelenskyy pledged that Ukraine would pursue diplomatic efforts more actively.
As Armenia approaches parliamentary elections, Russia appears to be increasing political and economic pressure on Yerevan, signalling that closer inte...
Police officers were pelted with missiles during violent clashes at a protest near the Southampton, UK, home of convicted murderer Vickrum Digwa, as a...
Minval Politika has published new video material which it says points to informal political understandings between Armenian businessman Samvel Karapet...
Thousands of people have taken to the streets in Albania in recent days to protest against a luxury tourism project linked to Jared Kushner, the son-i...
Bolivia’s Defence Minister has resigned amid widening unrest over government austerity measures, which have led to protesters blocking roads into th...
As Armenia approaches parliamentary elections, Russia appears to be increasing political and economic pressure on Yerevan, signalling that closer integration with the EU could lead to significant changes in labour, transport and energy arrangements between the two countries.
Minval Politika has published new video material which it says points to informal political understandings between Armenian businessman Samvel Karapetyan and former Armenian president Robert Kocharyan ahead of Armenia’s parliamentary elections.
Thousands of people have taken to the streets in Albania in recent days to protest against a luxury tourism project linked to Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump, and his wife Ivanka Trump.
Bolivia’s Defence Minister has resigned amid widening unrest over government austerity measures, which have led to protesters blocking roads into the country’s two largest cities.
Police officers were pelted with missiles during violent clashes at a protest near the Southampton, UK, home of convicted murderer Vickrum Digwa, as anger continued to grow over the handling of the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old Henry Nowak.
Competing narratives continue to shape perceptions of the war in Ukraine, with Russian leadership suggesting a possible end phase while Ukrainian officials warn of renewed large-scale attacks and ongoing escalation risks.
Severe Tropical Storm Jangmi brought heavy rain, power cuts and transport disruption across Japan on Wednesday (3 June) as it tracked towards the greater Tokyo region.
An Iranian drone and missile attack struck Kuwait International Airport early Wednesday, injuring several people, damaging Terminal 1 and forcing flight diversions, Kuwaiti authorities said.
Global weather forecasters predict a strong El Niño will develop in the second half of 2026, bringing hotter, drier conditions to much of Asia while increasing rainfall in parts of North and South America.
Thousands of people have taken to the streets in Albania in recent days to protest against a luxury tourism project linked to Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump, and his wife Ivanka Trump.
Bolivia’s Defence Minister has resigned amid widening unrest over government austerity measures, which have led to protesters blocking roads into the country’s two largest cities.
Severe Tropical Storm Jangmi brought heavy rain, power cuts and transport disruption across Japan on Wednesday (3 June) as it tracked towards the greater Tokyo region.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 3 June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Russian drones and missiles pounded the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and other cities early on Tuesday, killing at least 23 people and wounding more than 100, authorities said, following days of warnings about Moscow's plans for a major assault.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment