On Thursday, October 27, a meeting was held between representatives of the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine and the Embassy of the French Republic in Ukraine.

From the side of the Ministry of Finance, the meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Finance of Ukraine Olga Zykova and Government Commissioner for Public Debt Management Yuriy Butsa. On behalf of the Embassy of the French Republic in Ukraine, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to Ukraine Etienne de Poncins and Head of the Economic Department of the Embassy of the French Republic in Ukraine Jean-Baptiste Brasseur took part in the meeting.

The parties discussed the current state of the economy and financial system of Ukraine, the forecasted deficit of the State Budget of Ukraine for the next year and the possibilities of increasing financial support from international financial organizations and donor countries.

“Since the start of the full-scale and unprovoked war of the russian federation against Ukraine, the Government of Ukraine has been working without interruption, ensuring all priority expenditures of the State Budget. However, next year the forecasted monthly deficit is about USD 3.5 billion, so the first priority for us is to attract external financing in the form of concessional loans and grants to cover it,” said Deputy Minister of Finance of Ukraine Olga Zykova.

During the meeting, it was also emphasized that one of the urgent needs for Ukraine is to attract funding for the restoration of critical infrastructure that has suffered significant damage due to the aggression of the russian federation.

The parties expressed hope for strengthening cooperation between the Governments of both countries, agreeing to maintain a permanent and constructive dialogue. The French side confirmed to continue supporting Ukraine within the framework of bilateral relations and strategic partnership between Ukraine and the European Union, including regarding receiving Macro-Financial Assistance.