Publication

This paper examines the state of the Ukrainian economy and the reasons for its accelerated decline during 2014 and the first half of 2015. The author contends the main reasons for Ukraine’s economic crisis include the destruction of heavy industry and infrastructure in the war-torn Donbas region as well as a sharp decline in foreign trade. He also suggests the conflict has negatively affected Ukraine's agriculture and metallurgy sectors, which are key to its economy. He then contends that the Ukrainian government is not carrying out the reforms the country needs, such as dealing with corruption and foreign debt restructuring, and discusses what the future might hold for the country’s economy.