Ukraine's economy has seen positive growth this year despite significant military challenges, Economy Minister Yulia Sviridenko said, the Kyiv Independent reported.
"The key figure that describes this year from an economic point of view is almost 5% GDP growth. Not only did our economy not go down, but it grew at a rate that no one expected."
Ukraine is struggling to maintain economic stability as uncertainty over funding from Western donors has proved a critical long-term challenge as the country endures Russian strikes on key infrastructure.
Expenditure on military operations is accounted for in GDP data and can provide a short-term boost to spending.
Earlier in December, Ukraine agreed with G7 and Paris Club creditors to extend debt restructuring until 2027.
On December 19 in Kyiv, President Zelensky told reporters that he plans to cut government spending as significant funds will be needed for new mobilization efforts.
Ukraine risks falling into a serious economic downturn in 2024 unless its Western backers manage to raise enough funds to fill the huge hole in its budget, Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko said in November./BGNES
