The state budget of Ukraine for 2025 is currently in the final stage of approval, and the disputes regarding its main articles do not subside in society. Experts, politicians and ordinary Ukrainians actively discuss the financial priorities laid down in this document, which, in their opinion, do not always reflect the real needs of the country in wartime conditions. As the main emphasis is placed on military spending, which is understandable due to the need to ensure defense capability, the funding of other areas is at risk. In particular, in the absence of expected international aid, payments other than those for defense may be suspended. This causes deep concern in society, which questions the expediency of certain items of expenditure.
People’s Deputy of Ukraine of the 8th convocation, head of the Committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Tax and Customs Policy, Honored Economist of Ukraine Nina Yuzhanina in her speech at “Evening.LIVE” expressed a critical attitude to some decisions included in the State Budget for 2025. In her opinion, there are serious risks for the stability of payments and social support of citizens, which can lead to economic and social tension in the country. Yuzhanina emphasized that, despite the state of war and the shortage of financial resources, the budget foresees expenses that could be optimized, in particular, expenses on infrastructure projects, in particular road programs.
Social benefits are at risk
Yuzhanina emphasized that in the absence of help from international partners, Ukraine may be faced with the need to stop all social benefits, except for the military. This means that the payment of pensions, social assistance, scholarships and other types of government support will be put at risk. In her opinion, in this situation, Ukrainian society should unite and look for alternative ways of supporting each other in order to overcome this difficult period.
“If we do not receive adequate funding from our international partners, we will need to find together other mechanisms to support citizens. In such conditions, it is important to realize that we can count not only on external assistance, but also on our own unity and ability to adapt to new challenges “, Yuzhanina said.
Travel expenses as an object of criticism
The People’s Deputy sharply criticized the expenses for road programs, which, according to her, remain one of the largest expenditure items of the budget, despite the possibility of reduction.
“Of the 99 billion reserve that could be saved in the 2025 budget, they manipulated only 42 billion in the road fund. And they left all road programs, even increased them.
We see that the road fund receives significant funding, even though these funds could be diverted to the country’s priority needs. In fact, such spending is manipulative, because it does not correspond to the real needs of society in wartime.” Yuzhanina explained.
There is an urgent need to review budget priorities
Yuzhanina believes that the current approach to budget formation should be revised in order to respond to the primary challenges facing Ukraine. In her opinion, at a time when every hryvnia should be used as rationally as possible, priority should be given to social and humanitarian programs, as well as to the provision of basic needs of citizens.
“Expenditure on roads is important, but now, when we are facing unprecedented challenges, these funds would be better directed to support people who have been left without means of livelihood, to finance medicine, education and other critical areas. We need a rational approach that would meet the urgent needs of society”. – noted the expert.
A call for accountability and reform of the budget process
In addition, Yuzhanina drew attention to the need to reform the process of allocation of budget funds. In her opinion, in times of crisis, it is especially important to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of public resources in order to avoid unproductive expenses and direct available funds to solving the most pressing social and humanitarian issues.
Yuzhanina called on society and politicians to realize the seriousness of the situation and support efforts to improve the budget adoption process to make it more adapted to the real needs of Ukrainians.
