IMF staff heading to Ukraine to review $8.1 billion loan program in coming weeks

WASHINGTON - International Monetary Fund staff will head to Ukraine in coming weeks to review the war-torn country's progress in implementing economic reforms and broadening its tax base under an $8.1 billion loan, spokeswoman Julie Kozack said on Thursday.

Kozack told reporters that it was critical that Ukraine mobilize domestic financing to cover part of its "very, very significant" financial needs in addition to external support it has gotten from donors.

That meant expanding the tax base and moving some of the informal economy - which is estimated to account for about 45% of gross domestic product - out of the shadows and into the formal economy.

Kozack noted that Ukraine had agreed under the terms of its IMF program to undertake comprehensive reforms that were also necessary to meet Kyiv's goal of becoming a member of the European Union and unlock substantial external donor support.

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal)

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This story was originally published May 14, 2026 at 11:04 AM.