ANSA news

(ANSA) - TRIESTE - Amidst the war in the east of the country, the Ukrainian economy has contracted by 5,1% in the third trimester of 2014 compared to the same period last year, according to data released by the National statistics office. Compared to 2013, the country's GDP contracted by 4,6% in the second trimester and by 1,15% in the first. The Crimean economy has not been subject to examination due to its annexation to Russia in March. According to the Ukrainian national bank, 8,3% GDP drop is to be expected at the annual level, while a more optimistic 6,5% has been forecasted by the International Monetary Fund for the same period. (ANSA).