Distinguished colleagues, fellow Ukrainians.

Today we are holding an offsite meeting of the Government in Zaporizhzhia.

We continue this format of work to respond promptly to the challenges faced by our communities and regions.

Zaporizhzhia region is of particular importance for the country's defence and economy.

It is crucial for us to improve security here, provide comprehensive support to people and continue the reconstruction.

In 2024, the Government allocated almost UAH 4.5 billion to Zaporizhzhia region for recovery and priority needs. Transfers to local budgets in the region totalled almost UAH 10 billion.

In particular, UAH 2.5 billion of additional subsidies were allocated to Zaporizhzhia, as one of the regions most affected by the war.

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As elsewhere in the frontline regions, one of our key priorities is the construction of fortifications. This year, the Government has allocated UAH 1.9 billion to Zaporizhzhia for this purpose.

The state of completion is 100%. 358 military strongholds have been prepared. Hundreds of kilometres of defence lines have also been built. I am grateful to the regional military administration, the head and everyone involved in this work.

The progress of construction and operation of fortifications remain under constant control of the Government.

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This year, we have paid special attention to the safety of education facilities and promotion of education in all regions.

In total, the Government has allocated UAH 7.5 billion to create safe conditions in educational institutions and build shelters. This is one of the largest investment programmes in the budget.

We have budgeted more than UAH 1 billion for the construction and arrangement of shelters in schools in Zaporizhzhia region alone.

Work in this area is ongoing. Today we have visited the second underground school built in Zaporizhzhia.

We will continue this work next year so that as many children as possible in all regions of Ukraine can safely attend school.

Also in 2024, the Government allocated UAH 1.2 billion for the purchase of school buses throughout Ukraine. More than 400 such buses have already been procured and delivered to educational institutions.

Today, we approve a decision to allocate UAH 1.6 billion in subventions to local budgets for the purchase of school buses next year.

In this way, we are creating equal educational opportunities for children in all parts of our country and supporting our manufacturers at the same time.

One of the elements of a high-quality educational system is healthy food for children in schools.

Yesterday, at a Government meeting, we decided to allocate UAH 2.8 billion for a programme of free hot meals for primary school children.

More than 1 million pupils will receive free hot breakfasts or lunches next year. This, obviously, includes pupils in Zaporizhzhia region.

This is one of the programmes we are introducing as part of our Winter Support for Ukrainian families, and and it will continue to operate.

Also, as part of the Winter Support, the Government is also introducing the Teacher's Supplement programme.

Today, we adopt a decision to allocate a corresponding subvention of UAH 4.6 billion for the first half of next year, so that all Ukrainian teachers will start receiving an additional monthly payment of UAH 1,300 starting in January. This will amount to UAH 1,000 after paying taxes.

From 1 September, all teachers will also receive a monthly supplement of UAH 2,600. This will amount to UAH 2,000 per teacher.

Another critical decision in the education sector that is on our agenda today is the allocation of UAH 305 million in subventions in 2025 to support children with special educational needs.

We want to make education in Ukraine as inclusive as possible. Every child should have the right and opportunity to learn and grow at school.

Today, the Government is also making a decision to allocate UAH 150 million in subventions to the regions for teacher training. This is part of the New Ukrainian School programme, which will continue next year.

Separately, I ask the Ministry of Education and Science to submit for consideration at the next Government meeting the procedures for providing subventions from the state budget in 2025 for all other educational investment projects.

In particular, this applies to the continued construction of shelters, the arrangement of canteens, and the filling of classes with equipment for the subject ‘Defence of Ukraine’.

We will pay special attention to the education sector, as the future of our country depends on it.

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Social support for citizens remains another priority for the Government.

Zaporizhzhia region is one of the regions that has hosted a large number of IDPs. We understand the difficulties faced by people who were forced to flee their homes.

Therefore, as part of the Winter Support initiative, we are introducing a rental subsidy for internally displaced people.

This programme will be launched in January next year.

IDPs who spend more than 20% of their income on rent will be be eligible for a subsidy, and the state will partially compensate them for these expenses.

The government will also compensate landlords landlords for a part of their income taxes if they rent an apartment or house to internally displaced persons under an official contract.

The rental subsidy for IDPs will now be available in all regions.

Today we pass the relevant amendments.

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I sincerely thank all residents of Zaporizhzhia region for your resilience.

I am grateful to the defenders of Ukraine who are now on the frontline holding back the enemy.

I am grateful to the doctors, teachers, rescuers, power engineers, critical infrastructure workers and everyone who works to ensure that Ukraine survives and wins.

Thank you for your attention! Glory to Ukraine!