The Prime Minister of Ukraine rejected a petition to redirect funds from telethons to the needs of the Armed Forces
The petition of Ukrainians, which calls for the redirection of funds from the telethons “Edyny novyny” and FREEDOM to the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has received more than 25,000 votes. The author of the petition, Pavlo Bilous, a combat medic and Hero of Ukraine, suggests that instead of telethon broadcasts, which, in his opinion, are not always useful, these funds should be used to purchase drones and pickup trucks for the Armed Forces.
About this it is said on the website of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.
“We, the citizens of Ukraine, appeal to you to act as the subject of a legislative initiative (in accordance with Article 93 of the Constitution of Ukraine) and to register a draft law on amendments to Law No. 3460-IX “On the State Budget of Ukraine for 2024” and appropriate corrections , in order to redirect the funds intended for the telethons “Edyny novyny” and “Freedom” to finance UAVs and pickup trucks for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. For 2022 and 2023, UAH 2.13 billion was spent from the budget on the telethons “Only News” and “Freedom”. These funds could buy 21,515 DJI Mavic 3 quadcopters or 4,000 pickup trucks in good condition. For 2024, almost 2 billion hryvnias have already been pledged to finance telethons”, – wrote the author of the petition.
The head of the government, Denys Shmyhal, responded to the petition published on the website of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. He stated that redirecting funds to the needs of the Armed Forces is not expedient, because information security is part of the state policy in the field of national security and defense, and the telethon and the TV channel play an important role in countering Russian aggression.
“Since the provision of information security is part of the state policy in the field of national security and defense, and the implementation of a unified information policy is a priority issue of national security, the financing of relevant measures is an important component of countering the military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, in particular in the information space. Accordingly, redistribution of the expenses specified in the petition by directing them to the needs of other components of the security and defense sector is not expedient”, – emphasized Denys Shmyhal.
He also emphasized that the government is constantly working to attract and direct resources, including international aid, to the needs of the Armed Forces and other components of the security and defense sector. It is about the construction of military facilities, protection of critical infrastructure, supply of new and modernization of existing samples of weapons and equipment.
