Statement by Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal at the Government session

Distinguished colleagues, fellow Ukrainians!

We are starting a regular meeting of the Government.

Ukraine is consolidating the world to counter russian aggression and rebuild our country. We are consolidating the armed coalition, the financial coalition, the sanctions coalition, the reconstruction coalition and the mine action coalition.

This week we have achieved a number of important results.

First of all, it was a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the Ramstein Format in Brussels with the participation of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Here we have unwavering support and concrete military assistance.

A conference on humanitarian demining was held in Zagreb with the participation of more than 40 states. The Government's delegation presented our plans for the disposal of russian mine debris. We had a fruitful dialog with our partners.

Taking into account previous support packages, we have attracted about EUR 500 million in contributions for demining for Ukraine. In particular, EUR 100 million from Switzerland, about EUR 20 million from Norway, EUR 12.5 million from Sweden, EUR 5 million from Croatia, EUR 2 million from Austria, EUR 1.5 million each from Spain and Slovenia.

Ukraine is grateful for every contribution, this is our joint work for the protection of future generations.

The funds will be used to purchase survey equipment, demining equipment, and sapper equipment. In addition, additional assistance will come in the shape of equipment and expert support.

Ukraine has signed an agreement with Croatia on cooperation in demining sector. In particular, it concerns land clearance, public education, the development of mine action standards, and training of Ukrainian specialists, development of production facilities.

We also thank Switzerland for its initiative to hold the second donor conference on humanitarian demining next year.

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In Morocco, during the Annual Meetings of the IMF and the World Bank Group, the delegation of the Government and the National Bank worked to preserve Ukraine's macro-financial stability.

This included a dialogue with MIGA to implement new war risk insurance projects.

These were negotiations on existing and new projects with the World Bank, in particular, in the field of logistics, energy, medicine, housing, etc.

This included communication with the IMF management on the implementation of the financing program. We are grateful to the IMF for its assessment of Ukraine's efforts to recover, overcome inflation and increase international reserves.

The G7 finance ministers clearly emphasized their unwavering support for Ukraine. They also reaffirmed their commitment to keep russian assets frozen until russia compensates for the losses caused to our country.

In addition, we are exploring ways to transfer funds from sanctioned russian oligarchs to Ukraine.

There was already a similar precedent in Europe. Belgium is forming a special fund in the amount of EUR 1.7 billion, which will be used to pay taxes on profits from russian assets. The proceeds will be used to provide military, humanitarian and macro-financial support to Ukraine.

We are also grateful to the Estonian government, which developed the relevant regulation and sent it to the Estonian parliament.

We call on other European partners to do the same. russia must pay for its crimes, including with money.

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The day before yesterday, the Ukrainian budget received a grant of USD 1.15 billion from the United States. Thus, this year we have already obtained almost USD 11 billion in grants from the United States.

In general, in 2023, the European Union, the United States, the IMF, Canada, and Japan will be the key guarantors of our macrofinancial stability.

By the end of the year, we plan to attract about USD 42 billion of assistance. We count on stable and predictable support from our partners in the future.

This allows Ukraine to fulfill its social obligations to Ukrainians.

In the first 9 months of this year, we allocated almost UAH 336 billion for social payments. For the next year, we have envisaged almost UAH 469 billion for social policy and support. This is +5% to what we have in 2023.

At the same time, we are reforming the system, making it more transparent and efficient. We are pursuing a new philosophy of social policy based on creating opportunities for development and self-sufficiency.

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Regarding recovery. Today we are to adopt two decisions on renewal of the strategically important transport infrastructure. We are transferring Pivdenyy Buh and Ingulets bridges in Mykolaiv to state ownership. We are transferring them to the management of the State Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development to carry out proper capital repairs and ensure proper maintenance of these facilities.

Moreover, we create another industrial park in the Rivne region covering an area of 43 hectares. This is the 69th such facility. We expect to create 1,400 jobs in the processing industry.

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To wind up the session, I will mention the readiness for heating season. The readiness of the energy and utility infrastructure is approaching 100%. Some communities have already started to turn on the heat. In other settlements, it will be turned on in the near future, depending on weather conditions.

The season will be challenging. We understand this, and we are preparing for all challenges and all possible scenarios.

A network of 13,000 Points of Invincibility has already been deployed, where people will have electricity, heat, Internet and communication in critical and emergency cases.

On commission of the President of Ukraine, we endorse a resolution to display the location of the Points of Invincibility in the Diia app and portal.

Ukrainians will be aware of the location of the nearest point, will have a chance to evaluate the conditions there and leave feedback. Thus, local authorities will promptly respond to complaints and eliminate all shortcomings.

We keep working for the safety and well-being of people, effectively responding to wartime challenges, and bringing victory closer.

Thank you for your attention!

Glory to Ukraine!