Distinguished colleagues! Fellow Ukrainians!

We now start a regular session of the Cabinet of Ministers.

Among the key tasks of the Government is to successfully complete the financial year 2023. To maintain the macro-financial resilience that Ukraine has demonstrated since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.

Over 11 months of this year, Ukraine has accumulated almost UAH 2 trillion of domestic resources in the general and special funds of the state budget: taxes, fees, duties and other payments, as well as about UAH 400 billion of grants from partners.

We are grateful to all Ukrainians who contribute to our victory. We are grateful to every entrepreneur. We are grateful to those who pay taxes, create new production facilities and provide jobs

This year we have spent UAH 3.4 trillion. First of all, on security and defence, as well as on critical budget positions. The budget deficit of over UAH 1 trillion is being covered with the support of partners.

We thank all our allies for their solidarity with Ukraine, and we expect it to continue.

Over the past 11 months, Ukraine has received USD 37.4 billion in external financing, in particular about USD 2 billion in November. This includes macro-financial assistance from the EU, funds from the IMF, loans from Canada, the IBRD, the World Bank and other assistance.

Grants are a particularly valuable resource for us. It allows us to cover current expenditures, invest in recovery and development without increasing our debt obligations.

Ukraine received almost UAH 405 billion in grants in January-November. These resources came primarily from the United States, Germany, Spain, Finland, Ireland and other partner countries.

In 2023, we raised USD 14 billion through World Bank funds. We have launched an unprecedentedly large-scale cooperation, which is already yielding results.

We are embarking on two more important projects with the World Bank with the support of the Government of Japan.

The first is to finance the agricultural sector for USD 550 million.

The second is to finance social benefits. In particular, subsidies and payments to IDPs in the amount of USD 1.2 billion

We expect that in December our partners will once again demonstrate reliable and predictable support, and our state will have the resources to reinforce the rear while Ukrainian defenders are fighting the enemy at the front.

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The second priority task we perform on a daily basis is to provide light and heat in every home.

Despite the difficult weather conditions and attacks by russia, Ukraine's energy system is well balanced. There are no planned power outages for consumers, and if necessary, Ukraine imports the necessary volumes of electricity from the EU.

We pursue our energy efficiency policy. From today, the next phase of the programme for the exchange of old lamps for LED lamps starts. From now on, every pensioner in an Ukrposhta post office can receive five modern LED lamps. In general, the programme initiated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has already demonstrated excellent results. Ukrainians have received more than 21 million energy-efficient lamps, thereby significantly reducing the load on the power grid.

We are also planning to expand our energy potential. These days, a Government delegation is working in Dubai at the UN COP28 Climate Conference. And Ukraine has already joined the declaration on increasing nuclear power capacity threefold by 2050. The development of Ukrainian nuclear energy is not only about our domestic needs, but also about helping Europe accelerate its green transition.

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Another focus of our work is the development of the defence industry.

In October, during a visit to Berlin, we together with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz launched cooperation between the Ukrainian defence industry and the German defence concern Rheinmetall. The company already produces artillery ammunition for Ukraine and receives new orders for these products.

In the near future, Ukraine and the German concern Rheinmetall plan to launch the production of armoured vehicles on Ukrainian territory. This is a flagship project to unite the forces of Ukraine and European arms manufacturers to achieve a just peace and ensure our common security.

In the future, we will also rely on technology transfer, investment in design development, new production facilities and Military Tech

We continue to work for victory, for reconstruction and growth.

I am grateful to the Ukrainians who contribute their efforts, time, abilities and talents to this.

Today we celebrate International Volunteer Day. Millions of Ukrainians and caring people around the world have joined in to help Ukraine. You are helping the Armed Forces, doctors, victims and everyone who needs it most. We are grateful for your care and dedicated work.

And for your difficult choice.

Glory to Ukraine!