Respected colleagues, fellow Ukrainian citizens!

In the context of an all-out war of russia against our country, the Government has determined as the essential priority to provide our army with everything they need. This means that the Cabinet of Ministers directs the largest share of funds to cover the aforesaid needs.

Nevertheless, the Government continues to fully finance pensions, social benefits, and salaries of doctors and teachers. Business support programs that ensure the stability of our economy prolong.

We want to ensure our country developing now. Therefore, today the Government is taking the first, but rather crucial step towards the implementation of the initiative of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy — the program of affordable mortgages for Ukrainian families. Now, during the meeting, the Government will approve the conditions for providing affordable mortgage lending for the state-run company Ukrfinzhytlo.

The Affordable Mortgage program will come in effect on October 1, 2022, for four categories of citizens. The first is contract servicemen and employees of the security and defense sector. The second category is medical staff. The third is teachers and pedagogical staff. The fourth category is scientists. The mortgage rate for all these categories of citizens will make up 3%. The term of the mortgage is up to 20 years. The minimum down payment is 20% of the cost of housing.

Starting next year, the program will work for all Ukrainians who need to improve living conditions. The rate will be favorable as well and will be only 7% per annum.

The new large-scale mortgage program will enable the activation of new construction and significantly contribute to the recovery of the economy. Our goal is to ensure every soldier, rescuer, teacher and doctor could have their own home.

Meanwhile, we need a functioning economy to finance spending. In March and April, the export of Ukrainian goods collapsed almost twice, compared to the pre-war indicators, and amounted to about USD 2.5 billion per month. Three months of painstakinge work by the Government team and businesses allowed to increase exports by 20%. The total amount of exports in June was already USD 3.2 billion. And we expect further growth.

Yesterday, the first ship with Ukrainian food left the Odesa port. We consider this, under the commanding lead of the President of Ukraine, an important victory that will significantly strengthen the stability of our economy in the context of war. First, it provides opportunities to increase foreign exchange earnings and business revenues. Not only in the agricultural sector, where hundreds of thousands people work, but in related industries as well.

The second aspect is that Ukraine remains an important player in the world food market. We contribute to global food security. We are a reliable partner, and our allies around the world, who provide us with weapons and finances, value our work in this direction.

Unblocking exports is also directly related to the new harvest that our farmers are currently collecting. As of the end of July, almost 12 million tons have already been harvested. At the same time, we expect to collect up to 20 million tons of wheat alone, which is five times more than the domestic need. That is why it is essential for us to help farmers preserve and sell the new crop.

Another element of stability for our state and economy now is financial assistance from our partners. This week we have positive news in this direction. The European Union directed EUR 1 billion of exceptional macro-financial assistance to Ukraine. The first tranche of EUR 500 million was credited to the account of the National Bank yesterday. Another EUR 500 million has arrived today. The funds will be used to finance priority budgetary needs. This is the first billion out of nine that the European Union promised to provide within the framework of the new program of macro-financial assistance to our state. We thank you for this support and look forward to future urgent decisions from the European Commission regarding the allocation of funds that are vitally necessary for us.

In general, in July, the state budget received almost UAH 170 billion. About UAH 90 billion out of the sum are revenues from taxes and duties. Another sum worth UAH 80 billion are grants from Ukraine's allies. Therefore, a critically important task for the Government and the entire country is to strengthen its own economic stability.

Ukraine has withstood the first stage of the war. But the challenges facing us now are even greater: the autumn-winter period, the rapid restoration of critical infrastructure and housing, further financing of the army and social benefits, ensuring macro-financial stability.

Therefore, we continue our work for the sake of victory of Ukraine.

Thank you for attention. Glory to Ukraine!