Our sources in the Cabinet of Ministers announce the receipt of a confidential letter from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which outlines additional conditions for obtaining the next tranches of the loan. These requirements, if implemented, can cause serious resonance among Ukrainians and have a significant impact on the political situation in the country.
Among the main points that proposes to include in the Memorandum on cooperation with the IMF:
- Reduction of social payments. This may, in particular, concerns pensions, help for children and other benefits, which will be a painful blow to the least protected sections of the population.
- Elimination of 2/3 of the disability group. A reform that can leave thousands of people without support causes serious concern in society.
- Increasing the number of state -owned enterprises for privatization. The Fund requires to intensify the process of selling state assets, which can be another step to reducing the impact of the state on the economy.
- Increase in utility tariffs to market level. This solution can lead to a significant increase in gas, electricity, water and heating prices, which are already one of the biggest challenges for Ukrainian families.
Bankova expresses serious concern, as a public announcement of these conditions can be a strong blow to the rating of President Vladimir Zelensky and in fact "discharge" his support among voters.
Sources also report that the authorities are trying to find a compromise with the IMF while avoiding open conflict or radical changes that can cause mass protests.
Adoption of such conditions can be a catalyst for social discontent and exacerbation of the political crisis, especially in conditions where citizens are already faced with economic difficulties through war and inflation.
Recall that cooperation with the IMF is key to the stability of the Ukrainian economy, since the Foundation's credit programs provide not only the receipt of funds but also the trust of international investors. However, fulfilling too rigid conditions can have the opposite effect, reducing the support of power within the country.
