By KYIV. Jan 7 (Interfax-Ukraine) – As of January 1, 2023, according to preliminary data, Ukraine’s international reserves amounted to $28.491 billion, which is 1.9% or $536.4 million more compared to November 2022 due to foreign exchange earnings from international partners, which exceeded the interventions of the NBU on the sale of foreign currency to support the fixed exchange rate.
The NBU said on its website on Friday evening, in general, they decreased by 7.9%, or $2.45 billion over 2022.
The National Bank said net international reserves in December increased by 3.3%, or $579 million, to $18.318 billion, but over the year they decreased by 11.8%, or $2.45 billion.
According to the regulator, in December the dynamics of international reserves was affected by operations to manage public debt. In particular, foreign exchange receipts to the accounts of the government of Ukraine with the NBU in December amounted to $4.468 billion, including from the EU some $598.7 million, from the United States through the World Bank trust fund some $2.03 billion, from the placement of government bonds some $540.7 million, from the World Bank some $402 million, from the Government of Canada some $367.8 million, and from other international lenders some $528.9 million.
The total amount of government payments for servicing and repaying state debt in foreign currency amounted to $833.9 million, including $119.6 million directed to repay debt to international creditors, while $714.3 million to service government bonds.
In addition, Ukraine transferred $166.2 million to the IMF.
International reserves were also affected by NBU operations on the interbank market. In particular, they sold $3.193 billion on the foreign exchange market and bought $29.6 million into reserves, due to which the balance of interventions was negative and amounted to $3.163 billion.
In addition, reserves were affected by an upward revaluation of financial instruments by $231.6 million.
According to the NBU, the current volume of international reserves provides funding for 3.6 months of future imports, which is enough to meet Ukraine’s obligations and current operations of the government and the National Bank.
