The Ukrainian government, in the draft state budget for 2025 approved on Friday for the second reading, proposes an additional allocation of 488.4 million UAH to the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy, of which 200 million UAH is earmarked for strategic communication projects and promoting Ukraine's positive image abroad.
According to the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine, a separate allocation of 150 million UAH is designated for supporting Ukrainians abroad and facilitating their return to Ukraine through the activities of the Agency for Unity of Ukrainians under the Ministry of Economy.
Among other changes, an additional 1 billion UAH is allocated to the Ministry of Defense and the Main Intelligence Directorate for the development of weapons and military equipment, alongside a simultaneous reduction of 1.2 billion UAH in funding for the General Prosecutor's Office.
Furthermore, to support the defense industry, 500 million UAH is allocated for reducing credit costs for enterprises.
The Ministry of Finance indicated that an additional 1 billion UAH is earmarked for the development of the agricultural sector, particularly for livestock support and the processing of agricultural products.
The revised draft budget for 2025 also includes 1 billion UAH for the implementation of investment projects through the State Fund for Regional Development, with another 1 billion UAH allocated for recovery efforts in Kharkiv, aimed at restoring housing and communal infrastructure affected by hostilities.
According to the release, 3 billion UAH is designated for compensation for destroyed housing, and 1 billion UAH for damaged property.
It is noted that an additional 646 million UAH is allocated to the Ministry of Health, including 500 million UAH for the reimbursement of medications for the treatment of cardiovascular and neurological diseases.
Moreover, expenditures for the Ministry of Social Policy have increased by more than 1.4 billion UAH, including 1 billion UAH for assistance to internally displaced persons, 102.2 million UAH for cloud resource payments for digital technologies, and 328.6 million UAH for day care services for children with disabilities.
It is indicated that revenues previously directed to a special fund amounting to 43.2 billion UAH for financing the State Road Fund are now fully transferred to the general budget fund, with an additional 12 billion UAH allocated for increasing teacher salaries.
As reported by the Ministry of Finance, the budget also reflects the decision of the Strategic Investment Council to allocate 36.4 billion UAH for priority public investment areas, specifically: 11.8 billion UAH for education, 8 billion UAH for water supply, 6 billion UAH for social protection, 5.6 billion UAH for healthcare, 4.4 billion UAH for transportation, 502 million UAH for public administration, and 70 million UAH for cultural projects, including the construction of shelters.
Overall, the expenditures of the general fund of the state budget in the revised draft amount to 3 trillion 709.8 billion UAH. As previously reported by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, these have increased by 50 billion UAH.
"The government's approval of the budget draft in the second reading sends a clear signal that Ukraine remains on the path to financial stability even amidst the challenging conditions of war. We have focused on priorities: ensuring defense, providing social support to the population, and creating opportunities for economic recovery. The budget is based on realistic assessments and considers the challenges of wartime, as well as the proposals from the parliament," noted Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko.
As reported, in the government draft of the state budget for 2025, the revenues of the general fund (excluding grants and interbudget transfers) were planned at 2.7 trillion UAH for the first reading, which is 268 billion UAH more than in 2024, while expenditures are set at 3.644 trillion UAH, exceeding the 2024 figure by 107 billion UAH, including a total resource for national security and defense amounting to 2.223 trillion UAH (about 26% of GDP), which is 46 billion UAH more than the 2024 plan.