KYIV – Ukraine has formally asked the International Monetary Fund for a new financing programme as the war with Russia continues and high military spending persists.
Currently, about 60% of Ukraine’s national budget is allocated to defense needs. The government remains dependent on international assistance to fund pensions, public wages, and humanitarian expenses.
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko stated that the 2026 budget is being prepared with the understanding that the conflict is far from over. She officially submitted the request for new financing during a meeting in Kyiv with the IMF’s monitoring mission. Discussions with the IMF are set to continue, with the intention of securing programme approval by year-end. Svyrydenko did not specify an amount for the new loan.
Ukraine has already received around $10.6 billion through its existing $15.6 billion Extended Fund Facility arrangement. The request highlights the country’s ongoing reliance on global partnerships to maintain government functions amid prolonged uncertainty and conflict.