Zelensky discusses with IMF head new financial assistance for Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a press conference on the first day of the two-day Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC2025), on plans for the reconstruction of Ukraine, in Rome, Italy, Jul 10, 2025. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday he had discussed a new International Monetary Fund financial assistance programme for Ukraine with the Fund's Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva.

"We discussed a new programme of financial assistance that will strengthen Ukrainians now and in the post-war period," Zelensky wrote on the Telegram messaging app of the phone meeting.

"We are prepared to carry out the necessary steps quickly. The government is already working on this."

Ukraine's current $15.5-billion programme with the IMF expires in 2027.

Officials say part of that programme deals with reconstruction and Ukraine's needs have changed as the war drags on. Moscow invaded its smaller neighbour in Feb 2022.

Analysts say Ukraine's financing gap will widen significantly next year if Russia keeps up its intense attacks across the country and the government fails to act on demands for reform from foreign lenders.