As presidential advisor Oleg Ustenko explained, social benefits have priority in the state budget, so the government does not plan to reduce or stop providing these benefits to citizens.
While the European Council agreed to support the plan and provide financial assistance to Ukraine in the amount of 50 billion euros as early as February 1 under the Ukrainian Financial Assistance Program, the United States has not yet agreed on economic and military support to our country. There are still funds in the Ukrainian budget to provide salaries and social benefits to the population. But even if the situation is critical with US assistance, the government will not reduce or stop social payments to Ukrainian citizens. Presidential Advisor Oleg Ustenko stated this during the telethon.
He noted that although the state paid the greatest attention to the financing of the Armed Forces while the war was ongoing, social payments were a priority in the state budget. But pensions and other social payments come second after the military. Since these expenses are protected, payments will be made under all circumstances.
“If the situation is critical, social payments will continue. Everything of a non-social nature will have to be moved despite the developed programs,” Oleg Ustenko said.
But at the same time, the government will introduce an austerity regime. Therefore, all other non-priority spending will be stopped. This would apply, for example, to investment programmes. Although it makes great sense for the state, they will not be completely abandoned, but their practices will be stopped for a while.
“That is, it will be paused or carried out when the situation with the settlements becomes clear and additional funds arrive in the country,” the presidential advisor emphasized.
60 billion dollars to Ukraine: When will the USA provide aid?
On February 11, 2024, the US Senate supported a bill on funds for Ukraine and Israel during a procedural vote. According to Reuters, the final vote on the relevant decision should be held in the coming days.
And on February 5, Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova, said that the United States plans to provide Ukraine with $60 billion, of which more than $50 billion will be allocated to defense. At the same time, the Ukrainian government is not expected to receive all of the funds directly: about half of the money will remain in the United States to purchase material reinforcements and new equipment for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
By the way, let us remind you that American senators suggested that Kiev not pay social aid from the funds provided by the USA as financial aid to our country. Roksolana Pidlasa, also chairman of the Budget Committee of the Verkhovna Rada, said that the ban will not affect payments such as pensions, since Ukraine makes all pension payments from internal revenues.
Source: Focus
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