Ukraine's economic challenges From ailing to failing? IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS EPRS | European Parliamentary Research Service Author: Naja Bentzen Members' Research Service June 2015 – PE 559.497 EN This publication aims to provide an overview of the Ukrainian economy, explaining the current situation against the backdrop of historical developments and long-standing structural challenges. It also discusses the prospects for the medium and long term. PE 559.497 ISBN 978-92-823-7137-4 doi: 10.2861/49917 QA-04-15-364-EN-N Original manuscript, in English, completed in June 2015. Disclaimer The content of this document is the sole responsibility of the author and any opinions expressed therein do not necessarily represent the official position of the European Parliament. It is addressed to the Members and staff of the EP for their parliamentary work. Reproduction and translation for non-commercial purposes are authorised, provided the source is acknowledged and the European Parliament is given prior notice and sent a copy. © European Union, 2015. Photo credits: © DmyTo / Fotolia.
[email protected] http://www.eprs.ep.parl.union.eu (intranet) http://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank (internet) http://epthinktank.eu (blog) Ukraine's economic challenges – from ailing to failing? Page 1 of 28 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The February 2015 Minsk II ceasefire is crumbling, and recent significantly increased levels of violence in eastern Ukraine risk the final collapse of the truce. At the same time, Kyiv is fighting another intense battle on the financial and economic front. Despite recent macro-financial assistance from the EU and a March 2015 IMF aid package, the prospects of Ukraine fully servicing its foreign debt are extremely weak.