Politics & Economics

IMF predicts significant improvement in Ukraine’s GDP in 2026-2027

IMF predicts significant improvement in Ukraine’s GDP in 2026-2027

The International Monetary Fund confirmed the outlook for Ukraine's GDP growth at 4% this year and 2.5-3.5% next year, but also predicted a significant improvement in 2026 and 2027 – to 5.3% and 4.5%, respectively. This is according to the official IMF statement following the completion of the sixth review of the Extended Fund Facility for Ukraine, released on Friday, Ukrinform reports. Thus, the table drawn by the Fund on Ukraine's economic indicators shows that the country's real GDP this year may reach 4% with a decrease to 2.5-3.5% next year. “Economic growth in 2024 has been upgraded given better…
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U.S. at UN: China decisive enabler of Russia’s war against Ukraine

U.S. at UN: China decisive enabler of Russia’s war against Ukraine

The PRC's claims of their desire for peace in Ukraine are radically at odds with the actions of the Chinese side, which refrains from exerting its influence on Russia, feeds its defense industry, and offers political cover for aggression. The statement was made at a meeting of the UN Security Council by U.S. Alternative Representative for Special Political Affairs Robert Wood, Ukrinform's own correspondent reports. "China’s support for Russia is in clear contradiction to the principles of the UN Charter. China has said in this Council that sovereignty and territorial integrity should be respected, but if China were serious about…
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Odesa region gathers first commercial sweet potato harvest

Odesa region gathers first commercial sweet potato harvest

In the Odesa region’s Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi district, farmers have completed the harvesting of sweet potatoes from an area of seven hectares. The relevant statement was made by Odesa Regional Military Administration Head Oleh Kiper on Telegram, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. “Budzhak Farm Enterprise has completed the harvesting of sweet potatoes from an area of seven hectares – one of Ukraine’s biggest plantations,” the report states. According to the director of the enterprise, Oleksii Zhirin, growing the Beauregard sweet potatoes became possible with the implementation of advanced technologies, namely the use of virus-free planting materials. This allowed farmers to reduce the number…
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Ukrainian president meets with Lithuanian PM

Ukrainian president meets with Lithuanian PM

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas and a delegation from the Lithuanian government, which, after being approved by the Seimas, made the first-ever full-fledged visit to Ukraine in the history of the two countries. That's according to the Office of the President of Ukraine, Ukrinform reports. "This is a true manifestation of solidarity and commitment to shared values," Zelensky said. He thanked Lithuania for its consistent resolute support and comprehensive assistance to Ukraine and noted the annual allocation of 0.25% of the country's GDP for Ukraine's defense and security. "Your assistance is an important contribution…
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Zelensky approves appointment of new Ukrainian ambassadors

Zelensky approves appointment of new Ukrainian ambassadors

President Volodymyr Zelensky has approved more than 30 decisions on the appointment of new ambassadors of Ukraine abroad. Zelensky said this in an address, Ukrinform reports. “Today, our diplomatic team approved a list of new Ukrainian ambassadors. I have approved more than 30 decisions. Among them are Nariman Celal to Turkey, Alyona Getmanchuk as Ukraine's representative to NATO, and Andrii Melnyk as Ukraine's representative to the United Nations. These and other decrees will be issued soon, in accordance with diplomatic procedures,” Zelensky said. [embedded content] Video: Office of the President Read also: Sybiha says new U.S. administration officials will visit…
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Austria condemns missile strike on Kyiv and Putin’s threats with “Oreshnik”

Austria condemns missile strike on Kyiv and Putin’s threats with “Oreshnik”

The Austrian Foreign Ministry condemns today's massive missile strike on Kyiv in the strongest possible terms, and considers Putin's threats to use intermediate-range ballistic missiles to be absolutely unacceptable. This was stated in a comment to Ukrinform's own correspondent by the Austrian Foreign Ministry. “Today's massive Russian missile attacks on Kyiv are another dramatic escalation. These attacks once again targeted civilians and civilian infrastructure. Several diplomatic missions were also hit, including those of Albania, Argentina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Portugal, and the Palestinian Authority. We condemn in the strongest possible terms this latest gross violation of international law by Russia,” the…
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Lithuania to provide EUR 10M this year to implement ‘Danish model’ in Ukraine – PM Shmyhal

Lithuania to provide EUR 10M this year to implement ‘Danish model’ in Ukraine – PM Shmyhal

This year, Lithuania will provide EUR 10 million to implement the “Danish model,” which involves investing in the production of military equipment in Ukraine.   This was announced by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal following intergovernmental consultations with a delegation from Lithuania headed by Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. “There are agreements on Lithuania's first tranche of EUR 10 million to implement the ‘Danish model’ this year. Following the Danish example, Lithuania has become the second country among our partners to implement this approach,” Shmyhal said. He noted that the defense industries of Ukraine and Lithuania are already…
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Lithuania’s PM reiterates unwavering support for Ukraine

Lithuania’s PM reiterates unwavering support for Ukraine

Any negotiations between Ukraine and Russia should only take place under conditions of Ukraine’s victory. This was stated by Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas during a joint press conference with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in Kyiv, as reported by Ukrinform. Paluckas emphasized: “I reaffirmed our unwavering support for Ukraine. If Ukraine wishes or is forced to sit at the negotiation table, it must be solely under the condition of Ukraine’s victory.” He highlighted Lithuania's belief in a single just outcome to the war — Ukraine’s triumph. To that end, Lithuania remains actively engaged and committed to achieving tangible results…
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The Kremlin patient: condition worsening, both politically and mentally

The Kremlin patient: condition worsening, both politically and mentally

Vladimir Putin's annual "Direct Line" event, combined with a big press conference, this time seems to have set a record for the degree of inadequacy -- or even madness -- of its main character. At other times, it would be easy to just make fun of the guy over some of his embarrassments. It is not for nothing that the annual event had once gained a colloquial title, "Putin's stand-up". But now, amid a brutal war, we see it from a different perspective because sometimes the sinister outlines of the Kremlin's plans emerge through all the nonsense the Kremlin boss…
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Ukraine, Lithuania sign joint statement following intergovernmental consultations

Ukraine, Lithuania sign joint statement following intergovernmental consultations

Ukraine and Lithuania have signed a joint statement. This was announced by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal following intergovernmental consultations with a Lithuanian delegation led by Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas in Kyiv, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. “Today, we held productive, very substantive talks with the Prime Minister and the Lithuanian government delegation. Our agreements are stipulated in a joint statement, which will become an important document for the near future,” Shmyhal said. He noted that Ukraine's victory is a shared priority. “We are grateful for the Lithuanian government’s willingness to annually allocate 0.25% of the gross domestic product for the defense…
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