The government has approved the draft State Budget for 2025 for the second reading

This was reported by the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal, on Telegram and MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak on Telegram.

The Prime Minister assured that despite some changes in the draft state budget, the priority remains the security, defense capability, and protection of Ukraine. The government proposes to allocate 2 trillion 225 billion hryvnias for these needs.

"All funds from Ukrainian taxpayers will be exclusively directed towards ensuring the security and defense forces, and for the production and acquisition of new weapons, drones, and equipment," Shmyhal added.

He also noted that other budget priorities remain the social sphere, education, and healthcare.

According to Shmyhal, by the second reading, state budget expenditures were increased by 50 billion hryvnias:

• an additional 24 billion hryvnias for education (12 billion for teachers’ bonuses and another 12 billion for investment projects in the education sector);
• an additional 6.3 billion hryvnias for healthcare;
• an additional 5 billion hryvnias to support veterans.
• the road fund will not be financed in 2025, but 12.6 billion hryvnias are planned to be allocated for the repair of sections important for the defence and functioning of the state’s economy.

At the same time, the government has provided for the continued operation of the eRecovery program and its full financing.

MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak noted that the Cabinet will submit the draft state budget to the Rada.

"Then next week, it will be considered by the committee deputies (likely) and within a week (at the next plenary session) on November 19, it will be approved in full," he added.

He assured that the regulation on budget approval by November 20 will be adhered to.