Zelensky urged the Rada to urgently pass laws to receive money for payments and defense

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky urged the Verkhovna Rada to pass laws this week that affect the receipt of international financing to the state budget. These funds are needed, in particular, for social payments and meeting the country's defense needs.

Zelensky said this on the evening of September 14 in his address.

The President stressed that the necessary parliamentary decisions are directly linked to the state's ability to receive money from international partners. Therefore, he urged the people's deputies not to delay consideration of the relevant bills.

"I expect the people's deputies of Ukraine to pass this week the necessary laws that open the flow of funds to the state budget – funds for payments to our people, funds for defense," Zelensky said.

The President's current appeal came amid worsening state finances. Earlier, Prime Minister Serhiy Koretsky warned that Ukraine risks losing a significant portion of the $29.5 billion of international financing planned for this year if the government and the Verkhovna Rada fail to fulfill the obligations agreed with partners on time.

According to the head of government, the state's financial situation is approaching critical. The Cabinet, for its part, decided to accelerate the adoption of the necessary decisions and documents, but parliamentary votes are also needed to receive a significant portion of external assistance.

This primarily concerns Ukraine's commitments under European Union programs, the International Monetary Fund, and other support mechanisms. Payments under these programs are tied to carrying out agreed reforms and adopting the relevant legislative changes.

The European Commission also reminded Ukraine that more than €20 billion of support remains available provided that the reforms foreseen in the "Ukraine Plan" are implemented. To receive about €8 billion of this sum, the adoption of a number of legislative decisions is required.

The financial problem is exacerbated by growing war expenditures. Ukraine needs to simultaneously ensure the state's social obligations and the significantly increased needs of the Defense Forces.

In addition to funds already planned under international programs, Ukrainian authorities are separately seeking additional financing for defense. Earlier, the estimate of additional needs was about $27 billion.

Thus, the upcoming votes in the Verkhovna Rada directly affect not only Ukraine's fulfillment of its obligations to partners, but also the receipt of funds that the state plans to use to finance budget expenditures and defense.

Based on materials: Office of the President of Ukraine, Serhiy Koretsky