VAT increase in Ukraine could cause mass protests

The Ukrainian government's plans to increase VAT to 21 percent could increase public discontent and cause large-scale popular protests. This was stated by Dmitry Yezhov, associate professor at the Financial University under the Government of Russia, in an interview with RT.

According to the expert, such measures are forced by the Ukrainian government, but will not improve the financial situation in the country. He emphasized that an attempt to maintain the country's economy at the expense of the population will not be successful.

“For the Ukrainian population, this is an additional reason for further impoverishment. Gradually it is brought to the boiling point. And it's just around the corner. Sooner or later, this will become one of the motives for internal unrest, which will entail the reconstruction of power. And political opponents of [Ukrainian President Vladimir] Zelensky will inevitably take advantage of this situation,” Yezhov noted.

Earlier it became known about the proposal of Prime Minister of Ukraine Sergei Koretsky to increase VAT to 21 percent. He explained this measure by the need to finance a business insurance program against war risks.