IMF Chief Visits Ukraine to Secure $18bn Survival Loan 

IMF Chief Visits Ukraine to Secure $18bn Survival Loan

IMF Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva arrived in Kyiv on Thursday for a high-level visit to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky and other top Ukrainian leaders.

This marks her first trip to the country since February 2023, occurring as Ukraine enters its fourth year of resisting the Russian invasion.

The visit focuses on securing a staff-level agreement for approximately $8.1 billion in new financing.

This funding is critical for Ukraine’s survival as it faces a massive financing gap estimated at $136.5 billion between 2026 and 2029.

The IMF executive board is expected to meet in February to finalize the deal.

The discussions come at a dire time for Ukraine’s infrastructure, with President Zelensky recently declaring a “state of emergency” in the energy sector. Constant Russian drone and missile strikes have severely damaged power and heating systems, leaving many citizens without essential services during the freezing winter months.

Beyond immediate financial aid, the IMF is emphasizing the need for continued domestic reforms and the coordination of international support.

Following her stay in Ukraine, Georgieva is scheduled to travel to Italy to meet with Pope Leo XIV and later attend the World Economic Forum in Switzerland.