Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko called for continued international support for Ukraine during a meeting of G7 finance ministers and central bank governors in Paris on May 18.
The meeting included representatives of the IMF, World Bank, European Commission, and other international financial institutions.
Marchenko thanked G7 countries for their support and stressed that foreign assistance remains critical for maintaining Ukraine’s macroeconomic stability, government operations, and social spending amid the ongoing war.
He noted that Russia continues large-scale attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure, saying that on May 14 alone, more than 1,500 drones and ballistic missiles were launched against Ukraine. According to the minister, strengthening Ukraine’s air defense capabilities remains a priority.
Marchenko also outlined the economic impact of the war. Ukraine’s GDP declined in the first quarter of 2026, while inflation accelerated in April. At the same time, state budget revenues for the first four months of the year increased by 17.2% compared with the same period in 2025.
According to the Finance Ministry, Ukraine’s external financing needs for 2026–2027 total $95 billion, including $52 billion already secured for 2026.
The minister also emphasized the urgent need to finance the restoration of damaged energy infrastructure and welcomed the EU’s Ukraine Support Loan mechanism, describing it as a key tool for supporting Ukraine’s financial stability in the coming years.
Marchenko reaffirmed Ukraine’s commitment to reforms and called on international partners to create mechanisms allowing frozen Russian assets to be used for Ukraine’s recovery and compensation.
