According to an IMF source, Ukraine has just issued a plan to request financial assistance if the conflict continues for the next two years, estimated to need up to 37.5 billion USD.
However, the IMF believes Kiev could need another 10-20 billion USD, bringing the total to 47.5 - 57.5 billion USD.
IMF spokesman Julie Kozack later confirmed the information, saying the agency had begun negotiations with Ukraine on a new aid package but did not acknowledge the reported shortages.
Some sources familiar with the matter have revealed that the IMF and Ukraine are expected to agree on a new loan figure this week.
Currently, Kiev has not yet made any announcement about the above loan, even the cabinet and the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine have refused to comment.
The country has previously received a $15.5 billion loan from the IMF in early 2023 to cover part of the costs, including pensions, civil servants' salaries, essential services, debt and humanitarian needs because 60% of its budget is believed to be spent on defense.
Up to now, Ukraine has received about 10.6 billion USD from the IMF's loan, with a disbursement period until 2027. This is also the hypothetical time set by both sides for a peaceful end to the conflict.
It is worth mentioning that Ukraine is planning a larger loan, while the disbursement period of the old loan is not yet over.
Observers say Kiev still prioritizes continuing the conflict to win, rather than resolving the dispute by negotiation, even if it faces a situation of piling up debt.
Not stopping there, this new move by Ukraine also proves that the country is having a huge difficulty in finding stable funding from its Western allies, as the US contribution has decreased significantly.
