The draft budget for the next year submitted by the Government stipulates that all possible resources will be used to support the Security and Defence Forces of Ukraine. This was stated by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal during a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on 20 October.

"For 9 months of 2023, UAH 2 trillion 119 billion has already been directed from the general fund of the state budget. Of these funds, UAH 682 billion was spent on military salaries. UAH 349 billion was transferred to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including the purchase of military equipment, weapons, ammunition, defence products, and personal protective equipment. That is, this year we have already directed more than UAH 1 trillion on our defence," said Denys Shmyhal.

According to the Prime Minister, social programmes fall second among the expenditures. UAH 386 billion was allocated from the budget for 9 months of 2023. Another UAH 102 billion was allocated for healthcare. UAH 112 billion was allotted for transfers to local budgets, i.e. to support Ukrainian regions.

According to the Head of Government, full and timely financing of social payments, salaries of teachers and doctors would not have been possible without the support of our international partners. Since the beginning of the year, Ukraine has attracted almost USD 34 billion in external financing from its allies. Another almost USD 12 billion was received from the sale of military bonds.

Denys Shmyhal also thanked the Verkhovna Rada for supporting the draft State Budget for 2024 in the first reading. He expressed hope that the same constructive approach would be maintained for the second reading.