Economy
The Cabinet of Ministers has allocated 12.8 billion hryvnias to protect critical infrastructure
On 20 March, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved a decision to allocate over 12.8 billion hryvnias from the state budget’s reserve fund to protect critical infrastructure and implement regional and municipal resilience plans. The funds will be directed towards facilities in the fuel and energy sector, the transport system—in particular the railway infrastructure—as well as life-support systems.
Ukrainians have had their January utility bills waived due to Russian attacks — Svyrydenko
The government has ordered the refund of utility bills in those cities where services were not provided, in particular due to Russian attacks.
Ukraine has joined the group of countries with the highest debt-to-GDP ratio, according to a study
The Experts Club think tank has published a video analysis of the trends in global public debt as a percentage of GDP between 1950 and 2025. According to the international methodology used in the study, in 2025 Ukraine was among the 20 countries with the highest debt burden, with its ratio exceeding 100% of GDP.
Iran is allowing certain vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz
Iran has begun allowing a limited number of vessels to pass through its territorial waters in the Strait of Hormuz. According to analysts, this is intended to demonstrate Tehran’s control over this key maritime route.
US sanctions have brought Lukoil to its knees: the company has written off nearly $20 billion
Russian oil giant Lukoil has written off its investments in overseas assets in full after falling foul of US sanctions. At the end of 2025, the company recognised an impairment loss of 1.67 trillion roubles, or $19.8 billion, and instead of a profit, reported a net loss of 1.06 trillion roubles.
Gas prices for households may rise: Naftogaz is forecasting a shortage
In Ukraine, gas prices for households may be revised in 2026 due to losses in domestic production following Russian attacks and a sharp rise in gas prices across Europe. According to financial analyst Andriy Shevchyshyn, Naftogaz will need to find tens of billions of hryvnias to cover the shortfall.
The Ministry of Finance is preparing a tax package: VAT for sole traders, a 5% levy and new rules for parcels
The Ministry of Finance has presented a single tax bill that brings together Ukraine’s commitments to the IMF. The document provides for the mandatory registration of certain sole traders as VAT payers, new rules for taxing income from digital platforms, changes regarding parcels, and a new approach to the military levy.
Transnistria, an unrecognised region, has reinstated a state of economic emergency due to a gas shortage
In the unrecognised region of Transnistria, a state of economic emergency is being reinstated following yet another cut in natural gas supplies.
Iran has attacked energy facilities in the Gulf
A series of attacks on energy infrastructure in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE has marked a new phase in the escalation of the war. Damage has been reported at oil refineries and gas facilities.
A war with Iran heightens the risks of a prolonged global gas crisis
The attacks on the Ras Laffan complex in Qatar and the restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz are already affecting the global liquefied natural gas market. Asian countries are feeling the impact most acutely, but a protracted crisis could also hit developed economies.
The EU is looking for a workaround to provide Ukraine with a €90 billion loan
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has stated that the European Union will find a way to provide Ukraine with a €90 billion loan, despite Hungary’s opposition. She made this statement following a summit in Brussels, where EU leaders failed to persuade Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to change his position.
eFood is being launched in Ukraine – a unified system for business and regulatory oversight
The Cabinet of Ministers has adopted a resolution on the launch of the eFood pilot project – the Unified State Electronic System for Food Safety and Consumer Protection.
