The Verkhovna Rada approved the budget-2026: what will 4.8 trillion hryvnias be spent on.

According to ТСН: The Verkhovna Rada adopted the draft law on the state budget of Ukraine for 2026, which was supported by 257 deputies.

This information was announced by MPs Yaroslav Zheleznyak and Oleksiy Honcharenko.

Voting on the state budget for 2026

“The Rada adopted the Budget for 2026. More accurately, a populist election budget. IN total – 257. All populism and whims of the authorities remain. P.S. I voted against,”

Honcharenko also noted that he voted against this law, emphasizing that it does not include an increase in military salaries.

After the vote in the session hall, shouts were heard: “Shame!”

Main figures of the budget-2026

The government prepared a draft state budget, which envisages:

• revenues of UAH 2.92 trillion,

• expenditures at UAH 4.78 trillion,

• deficit will amount to approximately UAH 2.4 trillion (or 18.5% of GDP).

The sources to cover part of the funding shortfall, which amounts to approximately USD 19 billion (about UAH 800 billion), are currently not determined. Earlier, the government relied on reparations credit from the EU, but a final decision on funding has not yet been made.

Defense expenditures for 2026 are planned at UAH 2.8 trillion; this corresponds to the nominal indicators of the defense budget for 2025, which was submitted to parliament. However, in the fall, parliament increased the defense expenditures for 2025 by another UAH 300 billion, so in fact, the amounts allocated for 2026 will be lower than in the current year.

The budget-2026 also includes the first increase in basic social standards since 2023:

• The minimum wage will increase from UAH 8,000 to UAH 8,647 (+8%);

• The subsistence minimum – from UAH 2,920 to UAH 3,209 (+9.9%);

• The subsistence minimum for able-bodied persons – from UAH 3,028 to UAH 3,328 (+9.9%);

• The subsistence minimum for persons who lost their ability to work – from UAH 2,361 to UAH 2,595 (+9.9%).

Reaction of Zelensky to the approval of the budget-2026

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky thanked all the deputies who supported the budget for 2026, emphasizing the importance of this step for the stability of the country and the financial support of the needs for next year.

“The priorities are clear: ensuring our defense, social programs, and opportunities to restore life after Russian strikes. We are working with partners to attract the necessary financial support for Ukraine. There is now clear evidence for all partners that there will be no internal grounds for instability in Ukraine,”

The adopted budget for 2026 has become an important document that defines the financial priorities of the state for the next year. Parliamentary discussions reflect controversial opinions regarding its composition, especially in terms of social payments and defense expenditures. The reaction of politicians and the public indicates anxiety and anticipation, as the budget will directly affect the lives of Ukrainians in the difficult conditions of military aggression.