Supported by the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Austrian National Defense Academy
As Ukraine grapples with a war-induced economic crisis, the high-level conference “War and Money: Who Shapes Ukraine’s Economy Today?” brought together leading experts and policymakers to discuss the shifting power dynamics behind Ukraine’s financial survival. With generous support from the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs and the Austrian National Defense Academy, the event underscored Austria’s commitment to informed dialogue on international security and economic resilience.
The panel featured a distinguished lineup of economists, diplomats, and regional specialists, whose diverse expertise shed light on Ukraine’s long-standing reliance on international financial institutions—from its first IMF loan in 1994 through successive crises to the current influx of Western financial aid. Speakers provided incisive commentary on how Ukraine’s economic sovereignty is shaped—and often constrained—by global actors.
The political relevance of the discussion could not be overstated. As one panelist put it, “Ukraine is not just defending its territory—it’s fighting for its economic future.” The current war has made Ukraine more dependent than ever on external grants and loans, with the EU, IMF, and United States playing outsized roles in determining both economic priorities and political trajectories. Against this backdrop, the panel explored Ukraine’s limited agency in a global financial system that too often views the country as an object of policy rather than a sovereign actor.
Crucially, the conference highlighted the urgent need to balance short-term stabilization with long-term economic viability, even as the war continues. The insights shared offered a sobering but necessary look at the strategic intersections of war, finance, and international politics.