Dear Ms. Tetiana Popravko! Certainly, let me start with answering the question about how we have actually increased salaries for the Armed Forces personnel, and aftermath will get to your particular question regarding the Border Guard Service. The Ukrainian Government has already decided to raise the financing. The Armed Forces of the country. Before, soldier previously had UAH 2,341, now - UAH 7,000 which is by UAH 4,659 more as compared to last year. Platoon commander: if earlier he received UAH 3,801, now it has been upped by UAH 5,199 and makes up UAH 9,000. For company commander the payment has upped from UAH 5,096 to 11,000. For battalion commander – from UAH 5,664 to 13,000. For brigade commander – UAH 6,501 to 16,000 UAH.

We are talking about the military of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. A similar scheme and similar volumes of financial support, which is obtained by Ukrainian soldiers, apply to the National Guard of Ukraine.

What was the objective to raise remuneration? Primarily, our main purpose and our objective is the professional army in Ukraine. The professional force, the standards of which must align with top NATO standards. And the professional force that must be capable to fight and have a new technique. At this, soldier must receive a decent wage.

Due to the fact that since January, for instance, the remuneration for the soldier was increased by the Ministry of Defence up to UAH 7,000, there has substantially grown the number of professional contract soldiers. On average we have up to 200 contractors enrolled daily to do military service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Presently, the contract professional army in Ukraine enumerates about 140 thousand officers.

A similar approach exists in the National Guard of Ukraine

Now regarding the border guards. I commissioned the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and other concerned departments to consider increasing financial support for border guards and other military units that are deployed in the anti-terror operation area, inter alia, military personnel of the State Special Transport Service, the State Security Department, the Security Service of Ukraine and other military units with arms in their hands are fighting and defending Ukraine.

Therefore, we need to continue our policy of improving financial support for the Ukrainian Army, the National Guard, border guards and all the soldiers who protect the security and peace in the country.

Is there a source to raise remuneration for the Ukrainian Army, to buy new equipment, to modernize the Ukrainian weapons, to improve social standards, salaries and pensions and to fill the budget? Apart from economic development, there is another source - that provided by the Law of Ukraine "On the State Budget" pertaining to the so-called confiscation. We are talking about the assets of the former regime. The Government has no right to seize or pronounce a sentence or prosecute. However, the Government has the right following financial investigation to freeze certain assets.

This particular right was exercised by us last year. 1.5 billion dollars of assets of the former regime have been frozen. But still no court judgment delivered or assets confiscated to replenish the state budget of Ukraine.

I had a meeting with the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the entire law enforcement system of the country. For the past year and a half the court returned no verdict. And I believe that following our discussion the Ukrainian law enforcement system and the judiciary will spare no effort to ensure the proceeds stolen from the people of Ukraine be returned to the budget, thereby this source will be used to improve financing of the army, modernize the army and raise social standards.

Another question. Brovary area, Kyiv region, Julia Grishkovets asks: "In Brovary area of Kyiv region delays with payments for disabled children in January. Employees of the social protection department answer with anger – that is, in principle, not surprising in our bureaucratic: "Expect at the end of month or in early February". Life is difficult. How should I explain to a disabled child, that I have nothing to buy food, clothes, warm shoes for and nothing to live for?"

Dear Julia! After I received your complaint, I immediately to find out what is really happening. In a reference note I have the following information that the debt which took place have been repaid in full, the funds were transferred from the state budget to the local budget and you should have received the funds. If it’s no bother for you, please email me if you have got the sum. For me feedback is very important to know whether what bureaucrats write corresponds to what is really happening in your life.

And one more question. "Dear Arseniy Petrovych! A community of Luhansk rural council of the Petrivsky area of Kirovograd region appeals to you here. We have recently received a gift: JSC "Oschadbank" suspended the operation of its branch in the village. The nearest Bank branch is located in a district town about 25 kilometers away along the road, which resembles a field of operations". A question by Roman Volodymyrovych Turmack. And he, as it turned out, is Chairman of Luhansk rural council of the Kirovohrad region.

Mr. Roman Turmack! I gave a commission, and I was informed by the Oshchadbank that they had rescinded the decision to close the branch in your village. There are also still offices of Ukrposhta. Therefore, if a decision is made on reorganization, under any circumstances, Ukrposhta will perform all functions, including payment of social assistance and pensions.

But, Mr. Turmack, I would like to appeal to you and to all rural heads, and to all the communities. We have launched the process of decentralization. We need to unite the territorial communities. With this purpose the Government allocated certain financial resource. Just due to decentralization in the past year the revenues of local budgets increased by 40%. And with this purpose the Government this year has allocated billions to be spent for the social and economic development of the united territorial communities. Unite and become stronger. This is the only right way to make life in your village better, to increase the number of available services, and to facilitate the state to perform its core function: providing services to each citizen of the country.

It’s all for now. Thank you. See you next time.