On 8 November, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the draft law “On the State Budget of Ukraine for 2025” for the second reading.

The expenditures of the general fund of the state budget for the second reading amount to UAH 3,709.8 billion.

“The Government’s approval of the draft budget for the second reading is a clear signal that Ukraine remains on the path of financial stability even in the difficult war conditions. We have focused on our priorities: defence, social support for the population, and creating opportunities for economic recovery. The budget is based on realistic estimates and takes into account the challenges of wartime as well as the proposals of the Parliament,” said Minister of Finance Sergii Marchenko.

The revenues of UAH 43.2 billion previously allocated to the special fund to finance the State Road Fund have been transferred in full to the general fund of the budget. An additional UAH 12 billion has been allocated to increase teachers' salaries, which will improve teachers' working conditions. To strengthen defence capabilities, an additional UAH 1 billion has been allocated for the development of weapons and military equipment for the Ministry of Defence and the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine. At the same time, funding for the Prosecutor General's Office has been reduced by UAH 1.2 billion.

To support the defence industry, UAH 500 million has been allocated to reduce the cost of loans to enterprises, which will help modernise production and increase the country’s defence potential. An additional UAH 646 million has been allocated for the Ministry of Health, including UAH 500 million for the reimbursement of medicines for the treatment of cardiovascular and neurological diseases.

The Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications has been allocated an additional UAH 488.4 million, of which UAH 200 million is earmarked for strategic communications projects and promotion of Ukraine’s positive image abroad. A separate UAH 150 million was allocated to support Ukrainians abroad and facilitate their return to Ukraine through the activities of the Agency for the Unity of Ukrainians under the Ministry of Economy.

Expenditures of the Ministry of Social Policy have been increased by more than UAH 1.4 billion, including:

• UAH 1 billion – to help internally displaced persons;
• UAH 102.2 million – to pay for cloud resources for digital technologies;
• UAH 328.6 million – for day care services for children with disabilities.

To develop the agricultural sector, an additional UAH 1 billion has been allocated to support livestock farming and agricultural processing.

The Ministry for Communities and Territories Development has been allocated UAH 1 billion to implement investment projects through the State Fund for Regional Development. UAH 1 billion has been allocated for reconstruction work in Kharkiv, which will help restore housing and utilities damaged by the hostilities.

UAH 3 billion has been earmarked for compensation for destroyed housing and UAH 1 billion for damaged property. This will help support citizens affected by the hostilities.

The budget also takes into account the decision of the Strategic Investment Council to allocate UAH 36.4 billion for the implementation of priority areas of public investment, in particular:

• UAH 11.8 billion – for education;
• UAH 8 billion – for water supply;
• UAH 6 billion – for social protection;
• UAH 5.6 billion – for healthcare;
• UAH 4.4 billion – for transport;
• UAH 502 million – for public administration;
• UAH 70 million – for cultural projects, including the construction of shelters.

These changes are aimed at ensuring a comprehensive approach to supporting priority areas, development and recovery of the country’s economy in the wartime.