SOCAR, Uzbekneftegaz and BP launch energy partnership
A new trilateral energy partnership involving Uzbekneftegaz, Azerbaijan’s state oil company SOCAR and BP has been announced during Uzbekistan...
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Monday approved the disbursement of an additional $500 million to Ukraine, following the completion of its eighth review under the country’s $15.5 billion Extended Fund Facility.
The move brings total IMF disbursements to Ukraine under the four-year programme to $10.6 billion.
The IMF Board's approval comes amid ongoing war-related challenges, with the Fund reiterating its warning that Ukraine continues to face "exceptionally high" risks to its economic outlook due to Russia's ongoing invasion.
“Russia’s war continues to take a devastating social and economic toll on Ukraine. Nevertheless, macroeconomic stability has been preserved through skillful policymaking as well as substantial external support,” said IMF First Deputy Managing Director Gita Gopinath in a statement.
Despite the ongoing conflict, Ukraine has met all performance criteria under the program and has established four new reform benchmarks. These include steps to modernize the financial market infrastructure, implement international valuation standards, and improve alignment with global practices on securitization and bond markets.
The IMF also granted more time for Ukraine to meet certain structural commitments, such as appointing a new head of the State Customs Service. Ukrainian authorities have additionally requested a rephasing of access to IMF funds to better match their financing needs through the remainder of 2025, although no specifics were disclosed.
The Fund maintained its 2025 economic growth forecast for Ukraine at 2–3%, noting that lower gas production and weaker agricultural exports are weighing on recovery. It also indicated that Ukraine will likely require a supplementary budget for the year to manage continued fiscal pressures related to the war.
The review could also open the door for Ukraine to revisit stalled negotiations over restructuring its GDP-linked warrants. Earlier this month, Ukraine’s debt chief Yuriy Butsa told Reuters that the IMF’s review would provide a logical point to resume talks on that front.
The latest tranche underscores the critical role of international financial assistance in supporting Ukraine's economy during wartime, as the country continues efforts to stabilize its finances and implement long-term reforms amid severe external shocks.
Kuwait arrested four members of an IRGC-linked group as they tried to enter the country by sea, the Gulf state's KUNA news agency reported on Tuesday. Meanwhile, a senior IRGC officer said Iran had expanded its definition of the Strait of Hormuz to include a far wider area.
Biological samples from an Italian man were transferred to a specialist hospital for testing on Tuesday, after he was suspected of contracting hantavirus. Meanwhile, World Health Organization boss Tedros Ghebreyesus said there were “no sign” of a larger outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise.
Exclusive flight-tracking material obtained by AnewZ has raised new questions about French military aircraft movements linked to President Emmanuel Macron’s recent diplomacy with Armenia and the wider scope of France’s defence cooperation with Yerevan.
Just one week after a similar move by Australia, Greece announced that it will ban access to social media for children under the age of 15 from January 1, 2027, as governments around the world weigh tougher rules amid growing concerns over mental health, safety and screen addiction.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he does not think he will need China's help to end the war with Iran as he left for a high-stakes summit in Beijing on Tuesday, as hopes for a lasting peace deal dwindled and Tehran tightened its grip over the Strait of Hormuz.
Deep in the ancient forests of southern China, researchers have discovered a small, shy snake with an extraordinary survival trick: when threatened, it creates the illusion that it has two heads.
After Labour's devastating performance in the 8 May local elections, the party's internal architecture has cracked open with remarkable speed.
When Donald Trump boarded Air Force One for Beijing on Tuesday, he brought two cabinet members whose presence in China would have seemed unlikely a year ago, highlighting an unusual moment in U.S.–China relations.
Britain will introduce new legislation aimed at strengthening ties with the European Union as Prime Minister Keir Starmer seeks to rebuild economic relations with the bloc while facing growing political pressure at home.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s three-day summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing, beginning on Wednesday (13 May), comes as rivalry between the two superpowers reaches new heights, a China analyst has said.
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