Ukraine’s parliament has passed a package of legislative reforms aimed at meeting conditions set by the European Union (EU) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the release of billions of dollars in financial support.
The measures, approved on Thursday, include changes to the taxation of foreign parcels, greater transparency in e-commerce and amendments to financial monitoring rules for politicians, according to Reuters.
The legislation comes as Ukraine struggles to finance its defence needs amid its ongoing war with Russia, which has damaged businesses and critical infrastructure, weakened economic activity and reduced domestic revenue.
Ukraine relies heavily on financial assistance from Western partners to cover government expenditure and sustain its war effort.
Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko said the new e-commerce tax framework would align Ukraine’s approach with European Union standards and promote fairness for domestic businesses.
He also said the reforms formed part of Ukraine’s cooperation programme with the IMF and were a condition for receiving EU macro-financial assistance.
The government has faced growing pressure to implement the required changes amid a budget liquidity crisis that forced delays to some spending, including reconstruction projects and preparations for winter.
Reuters reported that domestic tax revenue fell by 32 billion hryvnias, equivalent to approximately 711 million dollars, in August and September, as intensified Russian attacks affected infrastructure, logistics and businesses.
Prime Minister Sergii Koretskyi said the latest parliamentary decisions provided grounds for optimism, although further work was required to meet the conditions set by Ukraine’s international lenders.
The legislation also provides for a 20 per cent value-added tax on foreign parcels, a measure expected to take effect no earlier than July 2027.
Lawmakers estimate that the change could generate an additional 20 billion to 30 billion hryvnias in government revenue.
The reforms are part of Ukraine’s wider efforts to strengthen public finances and secure continued international assistance as the war enters its fifth year.
