Meeting participants in Bangkok staged a walkout during the Russian minister's speech
National Bank of Ukraine Governor Andriy Pyshnyi discussed funding for 2027 and the implementation of the EFF program with international partners during the annual IMF and World Bank meetings in Bangkok. During the plenary session, representatives of several countries staged a walkout as the Russian Finance Minister began his speech. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine (Юлія Бойко) citing Bloomberg, according to the portal PromPolitInform.
A key event for the Ukrainian delegation during their visit to Thailand was a meeting with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. The parties analyzed the current state of the national economy and discussed the progress of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program. Georgieva confirmed the Fund’s readiness to continue supporting Kyiv to ensure macroeconomic stability and future growth.
Andriy Pyshnyi emphasized that the team’s priority is to complete the combined second and third reviews of the EFF program by the end of the year. Meanwhile, IMF European Department Director Mateusz Szczurek highlighted the need for further reforms in public governance and domestic revenue mobilization as a mandatory condition for receiving future tranches.
Financial plans for 2027
A separate block of negotiations focused on the issue of securing financial resources for Ukraine for 2027 in advance. The NBU Governor described this task as critical and pointed to the need to coordinate specific mechanisms for covering state budget requirements during that period. Details of future cooperation with donors remain a subject for further consultations.
The meetings also addressed risks associated with continuous Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Despite difficult conditions, the Ukrainian banking system remains resilient and continues to lend to businesses, supported by regulatory decisions from the central bank.
Collective walkout against the Russian delegation
During the plenary session of the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC), participants staged an unprecedented walkout. When Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov took the floor, central bank governors from European countries, Canada, the UK, and other nations demonstratively left the hall. Andriy Pyshnyi noted that this step demonstrates the global community’s understanding of the destructive impact of Russian aggression on the global economy.
Solidarity among partners was also evident in organizational matters: European diplomats successfully lobbied for changes to seating protocols at official events to avoid sharing a table with the aggressor’s representatives. European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde stated during a private meeting with Anton Siluanov that the war is the primary obstacle to economic development and that stability can only be achieved through peace.
Photo: RBC-Ukraine
