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Navigating Ongoing Conflict and Political Dynamics in the Quest for Financial Stability
Ukraine’s Finance Minister, Serhiy Marchenko, expressed concerns about the country’s ability to secure essential financial support as global attention is drawn to upcoming elections and escalating geopolitical tensions. Speaking during the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank meetings in Marrakech, Marchenko outlined the difficulties Ukraine is facing in securing vital funding.
Marchenko stated, “I see a lot of tiredness, I see a lot of weakness among our partners; they would like to forget about the war, but the war is still ongoing, full-scale.” He further highlighted that Ukraine is exerting twice the effort compared to previous meetings in April to convince international partners to provide support.
The ongoing conflict with Russia has left Ukraine facing a significant budget gap of $43 billion in 2024. Talks during this week’s meetings have been somewhat overshadowed by the conflict between Israel and Hamas, adding to Ukraine’s challenge in obtaining support.
The Finance Minister pointed out that “geopolitical shifts and internal political contexts in different countries” are affecting governments’ willingness to support Ukraine, citing upcoming elections in the United States and the European Union next year.
To cover the budget gap, Ukraine has earmarked additional tax receipts and funds from internal debt, but a substantial portion of next year’s spending requirements relies on external assistance. This includes commitments from the IMF program amounting to $5.4 billion, with expectations of contributions from Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union.
The European Union is working on a $52.6 billion package for Ukraine spanning 2024 through 2027, with Ukraine seeking 18 billion euros of that in 2024, matching the package received for this year.
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Marchenko also welcomed efforts to harness frozen Russian state assets, which were previously seen as an “achievable goal” and are now taking the shape of a plan, though legal concerns have added complexity to the recovery process.
Following Russia’s invasion in February 2022, most of Ukraine’s bilateral lenders have suspended repayment obligations until 2027, and the country has agreed to a two-year freeze on $20 billion of international bonds through August.
In an effort to address its financial challenges, Ukraine has been in discussions with major investors regarding the restructuring of international debt and the possibility of raising fresh financing. Marchenko stated that they are preparing for discussions with private creditors without specifying a timeframe.
“Our natural desire is to preserve access to the market,” he added. Credit enhancement notes have been considered as one of the ways to raise funds, contingent on Ukraine’s future economic growth and other economic factors. However, discussions on this matter have not been a primary focus at the meetings in Marrakech.
Despite the challenges, Ukraine remains optimistic about its economic outlook, with Marchenko projecting a 5% growth in 2024. Additionally, sufficient gas storage for the winter is expected to provide economic stability amid potential price fluctuations.
