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

Distinguished colleagues, fellow Ukrainians.

38 years ago, the world witnessed one of the largest man-made disasters in the history of mankind. Chornobyl. Then the world also witnessed a huge lie of the Soviet regime.

Today marks the International Day of Remembrance of the Chernobyl Disaster. We honor the heroism of the rescuers and remember those who died in this tragedy.

This day is also a reminder to the world that today russia may cause another nuclear disaster.

The occupation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is a crime against humanity, as it endangers everyone on this planet.

We must avert this catastrophe, the russians must leave the Zaporizhzhia plant.

Together with our partners, we are working to return the plant to Ukrainian control and prevent another nuclear tragedy from happening in the world.

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We carry on cooperating with our partners in all areas. Sanctions, military, and financial.

Yesterday, Ukraine received EUR 1.5 billion from the EU under the new Ukraine Facility instrument.

We will also receive almost USD 8 billion in budget support from the United States as part of the aid package.

In total, since the beginning of the year, Ukraine has already received about USD 12 billion in external financing to cover our budget deficit. These funds help Ukraine finance medical services, salaries for doctors and teachers, and social programs.

We are grateful to our allies and partners the support they provide.

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Along with this, we realize that we need to maximize our financial and economic sustainability for the next year.

This means increasing investments, exports, opening new businesses, and creating new jobs.

We have the vision and the tools.

Today we approve a procedure for using funds under the program to support significant investment projects.

The conditions are transparent and clear. Investors implementing a project worth EUR 12 million and lasting up to 5 years receive maximum assistance from the state.

This includes support in the form of assistance, tax and customs benefits, reimbursement of costs for the built engineering and transport infrastructure or connection to networks. UAH 3 billion has already been envisaged in the budget for these compensations and support.

Apart from that, we are to endorse a document that, as we promised, allows us to double the amount of microgrants for starting a business in Kharkiv and Kharkiv region. From now on, they will amount to half a million hryvnias for one citizen who decides to start business.

Yet another document to strengthen our economy, which we are adopting today, concerns war risk insurance.

We amend the charter of the Export Credit Agency of Ukraine, thereby allowing insuring new investments against the risks of war. This applies to both foreign investments and Ukrainian companies that will invest in the Ukrainian economy and develop exports.

In 2023, foreign investment amounted to USD 4.3 billion, of which USD 3.2 billion was reinvestment. This volume already exceeds some pre-war years, but it is still not enough for a rapid economic recovery.

That is why we are launching new support tools, improving the business climate, and continuing to develop the Made in Ukraine program.

One of the elements of this program is compensation to farmers for purchased agricultural machinery if it is from a Ukrainian manufacturer. Compensation can be in the amount of 25% of the cost. In total, we are talking about 44 Ukrainian producers and more than 2,000 nomenclature items.

The program's budget for this year is UAH 1 billion, and about 4,000 Ukrainian farmers will be eligible for state support.

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Сильна економіка дає можливість не лише забезпечувати нашу армію, але також підтримувати наших громадян.

In January-March of this year, the Government allocated UAH 113 billion from the state budget for social payments. Over the year, the average pension has increased by 10.6%. We make all payments in full and without any delays.

We understand that, especially during the war, millions of Ukrainians need help and support. That is why prices for gas, water and heat have remained unchanged for more than 2 years.

This month, we have approved a resolution that preserves the preferential gas price for heat and hot water suppliers for the population until the end of summer.

Also this week, the state-owned Naftogaz extended the preferential gas price for households. It will remain at UAH 7.96 per cubic meter of gas.

Today the Cabinet of Ministers adopts a decision to extend the preferential electricity price for households. The price remains 2 hryvnia 64 kopecks per kilowatt. Also, the provision on the imposition of special obligations on electricity market participants will be extended until May 31.

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Finally, on the situation in the energy sector. It remains challenging. Despite 24/7 repairs, there is a significant deficit in the power system. Yesterday, for the fourth day in a row, Ukrenergo was forced to import emergency aid from Europe.

The extensive damage that russia has caused recently cannot be repaired in a few weeks or even months. We are working on alternatives: installing mini-CHP in different cities, strengthening the power system through its decentralization.

I also call on Ukrainians to use electricity rationally.

Help our power engineers, help our power system. Consume electricity responsibly.

Only together can we overcome these challenges.

I thank everyone who protects, rescues, treats, repairs, teaches and works for Ukraine.

Thank you for your attention.

Glory to Ukraine!