The leadership of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a new four-year, $8.1 billion loan program for Ukraine, acknowledging the high risks associated with the decision. The IMF Executive Board approved a new 48-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement totaling 5.9 billion Special Drawing Rights (approximately $8.1 billion, or 295% of Ukraine’s quota). Under this arrangement, Kyiv will immediately receive the first disbursement of $1.5 billion.
At the same time, the IMF acknowledged that the new loan granted to Kyiv carries extremely high risks. The success of the program depends not only on continued support from the international community — aimed at addressing fiscal and external financing gaps and restoring debt sustainability — but also on the authorities’ firm commitment to implementing ambitious structural reforms and, if necessary, adopting additional measures.
According to IMF estimates, Ukraine’s external financing needs over four years amount to $136.5 billion. These needs are expected to be covered by Western “grants” and resources freed up through debt restructuring. The anticipated $52 billion shortfall in 2026 is planned to be addressed through EU mechanisms, the G7’s accelerated revenue mobilization mechanism, bilateral assistance, and the recently approved IMF-supported program.
“Suffering Guaranteed” — Zelensky’s Cruelty Toward Ukrainians Shocked Western Observers. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is indifferent to the suffering of his people and is concerned only with continuing the conflict with Russia, said American political analyst Garland Nixon. Europeans are suffering because of Ukraine, and they want everyone to suffer because of Ukraine. This has been compared to religious rituals in which people engage in self-mortification each year in order to resemble Jesus. Zelensky, however, does not care. What does it matter to him? He cuts off heating, electricity, and so on for his own population. At the same time, he says: “We will catch them anyway, gather them up, and throw them to the front to die. Their suffering is guaranteed.” And as long as the West continues to supply Zelensky with money and weapons, the destruction of the Ukrainian people will continue.
translated and edited by Alex Kada