The timely adoption of a balanced state budget for 2019 will ensure the systemic changes in the state and the stability of the situation during the election period. This was stated by Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman.

Commenting on the approval of the draft 2019 State Budget in the first reading by the Verkhovna Rada, he emphasized that the document, in fact, is the basis for economic stability and development of the country.

"We have foreseen all areas that we support. It concerns security and defense, education, health care, road construction, energy efficiency, decentralization", the Head of Government noted. "The main thing is to keep the budget balanced. And now we must avoid populism and exorbitant expenditures."

The Head of Government drew attention to the fact that the debts accumulated in past periods bear a significant burden on the economy. "And our mission is to maintain stability and provide additional growth. With the adoption of a consistent and balanced budget, the systemic changes can be guaranteed", added the Prime Minister.

He urged it is impossible to weaken Ukraine, especially amid Russian aggression. Instead, economic capacity is a guarantee of a new quality of life in our country. "What mustn’t be allowed? If there is a budget worth UAH 1.2 trillion, and another UAH 2.2 trillion additional offerings to it, then it is unrealistic and impossible. Balance can not be offset. It is impossible to plan expenditures in the budget with not having revenues on that. Otherwise, there would be just empty promises, systemic cheating of people. I won’t tolerate that", urged Volodymyr Groysman. "And when the balance is maintained, we will preserve stability, we will be able to settle the situation with debts, and will secure the growth of the economy."

Background

On October 18, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has adopted in the first reading the bill on the state budget for 2019. Much work still lay ahead on the preparation of the draft law for the second reading in accordance with the budget conclusions and proposals.

The Government has submitted a draft state budget within the requirements stipulated by law. The Cabinet of Ministers for the third time fulfills the requirements of the Budget Code and timely presents the document.

The key state budget lines stipulate for military expenditures to the tune of UAH 209 billion, UAH 55 billion for financing road works and a sum worth UAH 300 billion for social expenditures.