Despite cooling inflation, Ukraine’s prime interest rate stays at 18%

Despite cooling inflation, Ukraine’s prime interest rate stays at 18%, a level first set six months ago, the National Bank of Ukraine reported Thursday. To combat inflation, the central bank started raising the prime rate 17 months ago, when it went from 12.5% to 13.5%. Smoliy said Thursday: “The timing of the transition to lowering the discount rate will depend on how robust the inflationary risks will be and inflation expectations improve.”