The Ukrainian delegation is on a working trip to Washington, where it took part in the opening of the US-Ukrainian Partnership Forum on the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings. As part of the visit, negotiations were held with representatives of the US government, international financial institutions, business and the European Union on investments, energy recovery, sanctions policy and financial support for Ukraine.
This was reported by Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko.
Thus, the Ukrainian side held meetings with the heads of leading American companies, during which they discussed the state of the Ukrainian economy in the context of constant Russian attacks, as well as the prospects for expanding investments and partnerships. It is noted that the US-Ukrainian Recovery Investment Fund is already operating - the first investment has been approved, more than 200 applications are under consideration, which indicates significant business interest in the Ukrainian market even in times of war.
Also, according to the Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko, the government is implementing a comprehensive resilience plan, which provides for the strategic restructuring of the energy system, preparation for the next heating season and countering challenges from the enemy. The priorities are the protection of energy facilities, the development of distributed generation, ensuring backup power for heat and water supply systems, as well as the decentralization of heat supply.
According to her, the government of Ukraine has already financed priority work on the protection and connection of cogeneration plants in communities for more than 22 billion hryvnias. At the same time, the key factor in the implementation of these plans remains the support of international partners - both financial and in the form of necessary equipment.
In particular, a meeting with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was hosted in Washington, during which the parties discussed the financial and energy situation in Ukraine, as well as the impact of events in the Middle East on global markets. Particular attention was paid to the development of the U.S.-Ukrainian Investment Fund (URIF) - the parties agreed to expand its capabilities and create an additional co-investment mechanism.
The issue of expanding war risk insurance instruments for investors was also raised. In this context, the mechanisms of the U.S. Development Finance Corporation (DFC) can play an important role, which are capable of stimulating the attraction of private capital even in conditions of a full-scale war.
Separately, the parties discussed the need to strengthen the sanctions policy against Russia, in particular regarding restrictions on the supply of components for the production of weapons and the reduction of oil and gas revenues of the aggressor state.
In addition, the Ukrainian delegation held a meeting with the President of the U.S. Eximbank, John Yovanovitch. Among the key areas of cooperation are energy, dual-use products, critical minerals and logistics. In particular, the parties agreed to launch a financing mechanism for the purchase of American energy equipment for Naftogaz in the amount of $300 million, which will allow the restoration of destroyed gas production facilities.
A broader program for the modernization of the energy sector worth over $1 billion is also being discussed, as well as the possibility of creating a mechanism to support the supply of American liquefied gas to Ukraine. In preparation for the 2025-2026 heating season, Ukraine has already imported 900 million cubic meters of LNG from the United States and is interested in increasing these volumes.
In the field of logistics, the parties considered the possibility of financing the purchase of locomotives for Ukrzaliznytsia, as more than 300 units of rolling stock were damaged or destroyed as a result of Russian attacks.
The Ukrainian delegation also held talks with European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos. Preparations for Ukraine to receive a financial assistance package under the Ukraine Facility program worth 2.7 billion euros, as well as further steps towards European integration, were discussed. It is noted that Ukraine has already adopted the necessary legislative changes, in particular regarding the digitalization of enforcement proceedings, integration into the EU energy market and reforming the state supervision system.
Separately, the parties touched upon the issue of preparation for receiving the first tranche of the EU loan worth 90 billion euros and fulfilling obligations within the six thematic clusters of European integration. The government has already approved the National Program for Adapting Ukrainian Legislation to EU Law, which provides for the implementation of over 1,600 acts of European law.
During the ministerial roundtable of the World Bank and the IMF, which was held for the ninth time, the key priorities for supporting Ukraine were discussed - financial, energy and defense stability. The Ukrainian side emphasized that in 2025, defense spending amounted to more than 40% of GDP and 70% of the state budget, which is a contribution not only to the security of the country, but also to the whole of Europe.
“Ukraine remains in the focus of international attention, and the support of partners is of decisive importance for our stability,” she summarized.
Photo: Svyrydenko public
Author: Inna Mikhno