#Funding

The IMF has started negotiations in Kyiv on the combined second and third reviews of the EFF program. Following them, Ukraine can receive two tranches totaling about 1.65 billion dollars.

EU leaders instructed the European Commission to find an additional €70 billion for Ukraine for 2027 following Zelenskyy's appeal at the summit. A new joint borrowing is considered the main option, although the cost of debt has noticeably increased.

Zelensky called the negotiations with von der Leyen 'absolutely positive,' denying rumors of tension. The sides discussed the financing shortfall and the linking of part of the aid to Rada laws.

Prime Minister Serhiy Koretsky announced a new $27 billion need for Ukraine's defense sector and outlined options to cover it, including the optimization of state spending.

Mikhail Ilyashev, President of the National Fencing Federation of Ukraine, stated that the main challenge for the sport amid the war is keeping the number of children practicing fencing at pre-war levels. At the same time, he reported a 15 percent growth in children's league participants last season and financial difficulties that prevented sending all disciplines to the World Championship in Hong Kong.