The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved changes to the state budget for 2025 in the amount of 400 billion hryvnias, aimed at covering growing defense costs. About this reported People’s Deputy Yaroslav Zheleznyak.
According to the draft law, it is proposed to adjust the expenditure part of the budget by more than UAH 397.492 billion. In particular, it is planned to increase expenditures under separate budget programs by UAH 448.83 billion, of which UAH 412.37 billion is intended for the security and defense sector. At the same time, it is planned to reduce expenses and the provision of loans by UAH 51.34 billion.
To ensure budget balancing, it is proposed to increase state budget revenues by UAH 147.49 billion and finance the general fund of the state budget by debt transactions by UAH 250 billion.
“To close the hole, dear business, they will collect from you +150 billion more than planned + another 250 billion will be borrowed”, — explained Zheleznyak.
We will remind, on December 11, 2024, Minister of Finance Serhiy Marchenko assured that the 2025 budget will be increased without raising taxes. In his opinion, it is possible to close the existing deficit thanks to the improvement of tax administration. The Ministry of Finance of Ukraine noted that the state budget for 2025 is formed in such a way as to ensure the country’s stability even in the event of the continuation of hostilities throughout the year. More than UAH 2.2 trillion has been earmarked for these needs, which is 26.3% of the country’s GDP.
However, already at the beginning of April, information appeared that the expenditure part of the budget may not be enough, since the Ministry of Defense is already spending the funds planned for the end of the year (October-December) for the purchase of ammunition and weapons, taking into account the scenario of an escalation of hostilities before a possible freeze.
