Sergii Marchenko: just and lasting peace for Ukraine is a key prerequisite for the economic transformation of all Eastern Europe

On April 24, Ukraine’s Minister of Finance Sergii Marchenko delivered an online address at the high-level international conference Strengthening Economic and Financial Resilience of the EU Eastern Border - Search for Strategic and Coordinated Actions, held in Vilnius, Lithuania.

The conference brought together ministers, representatives of European institutions, and international financial organizations to identify coordinated solutions for strengthening the economic and financial resilience of the European Union’s eastern border.

The Minister of Finance joined the panel discussion “Addressing the Challenges Faced by the EU Eastern Border Countries,” where, together with his European counterparts, he discussed the key challenges facing these countries amid Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine.

Participants in the panel included European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius, Poland’s Minister of Finance and Economy Andrzej Domański, Latvia’s Minister of Finance Arvils Ašeradens, Estonia’s Minister of Finance Jürgen Ligi, Lithuania’s Minister of Finance Kristupas Vaitiekūnas, and Finland’s Minister of Economic Affairs Sakari Puisto.

In his remarks, Serhii Marchenko shared Ukraine’s experience in maintaining fiscal resilience during a full-scale war. He emphasized that financial stability under such conditions is built on a combination of discipline, adaptability, and trust between Ukraine and its international partners.

He stressed that one of the key priorities is ensuring the continuous functioning of the state, including financing defense, social payments, and essential public services.

Domestic resources are fully directed toward the security and defense sector, which in 2026 accounts for over 68% of total State Budget expenditures. The Minister also highlighted a positive trend in tax and customs revenues. In particular, in the first quarter of 2026, State Budget revenues exceeded planned targets, reaching USD 17 billion - a 25% increase compared to the same period last year.

Predictable and timely external financing remains critically important. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine has attracted USD 175 billion in international assistance, enabling the funding of social and humanitarian needs.

It was emphasized that even during wartime, Ukraine continues to implement reforms, particularly in digitalization, public finance transparency, and anti-corruption policy, which strengthens trust among citizens and international partners. A key priority remains fulfilling the conditions of cooperation programs with international partners - the IMF, the EU, and the World Bank.

In conclusion, Sergii Marchenko noted that achieving a just and lasting peace is the key prerequisite for the economic transformation of Ukraine and the entire region, shaping the development of Eastern Europe for decades to come.