KYIV, Aug 2 – The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU), considering the significant needs for defense spending and subsequent recovery and humanitarian projects, has worsened its forecast for the consolidated budget deficit for the current year from 20.7% of GDP to 22.8% of GDP, excluding grants.

According to the regulator's July inflation report, the forecast for next year has also been worsened from 13.5% of GDP to 17.8% of GDP, and for 2026 from 7.5% of GDP to 10.3% of GDP.