20 May 2022 12:03

Ukraine needs prompt financial support - Zelensky

KYIV. May 20 (Interfax-Ukraine) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has underscored the need for Ukraine to gain access to prompt and sufficient financial support.

"I have always been very straightforward: Ukraine's monthly budget deficit stands at $5 billion today, and, in order to withstand, we need urgent and sufficient financial support," Zelensky said during a video address on Thursday evening.

"For partners, it is not just spending or a gift. Rather, it is their contribution to their own security," he said.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, in turn, said that Ukraine needs at least $15 billion over the next three months to cover day-to-day budget needs. He called on the Group of Seven countries to provide urgent financing to Ukraine.

The government's press service said following Shmyhal's speech at a meeting of the G7 countries' finance ministers that the functioning of the Ukrainian banking and energy systems is stable, while tax and loan incentives introduced by the government have allowed some businesses to restart their operations.

"Today, we call on the Group of Seven countries to provide Ukraine with urgent financing to cover the budget's day-to-day needs. We need at least 415 billion over the next three months in order to cover these gaps. It is important to us," he said.