The International Monetary Fund has opposed the continuation of mass one-time payments to Ukrainians, known as “Zelensky’s thousands”. According to government sources, the Cabinet of Ministers is preparing a decision that will significantly reduce the program and change the principles of providing assistance. This is reported by “Pershy Business”, the PromPolitInform portal reports.
The IMF emphasizes that large cash payments create additional pressure on the state budget and contradict the conditions of financial stability that Ukraine has undertaken to fulfill within the framework of the cooperation program. The Fund recommends moving to more targeted support aimed at people in critically difficult social conditions.
According to preliminary information, the government is considering an option under which payments will be maintained only for certain categories – in particular, for citizens who have lost their homes, suffered from hostilities, or have a confirmed status of socially vulnerable. Mass payments for broad groups of the population may be completely stopped.
Recall that such changes will affect the budgetary policy of Ukraine in the coming months, as the country depends on external financing and must adhere to the agreed deficit parameters. At the same time, they recognize that the program’s rollback may cause public discontent, so the government will have to find a balance between social support and the requirements of international partners.
