The Verkhovna Rada adopted a bill that provides for an increase in corporate income tax for banks to 50% in 2026. This decision, which will be in effect until the first quarter of 2027, aims to stably replenish the state budget.
The Verkhovna Rada voted for the early termination of the powers of MP Anna Kolisnyk from "Servant of the People". She was notified of suspicion of entering inaccurate data into her declaration for 2020 and was sentenced in a case concerning the declaration of inaccurate information.
Ukraine plans to introduce taxation of income from the sale of goods on digital platforms if the amount exceeds 2,000 euros per year. Bill No. 14025, which may come into force in 2026, provides that platforms will become tax agents.
The Verkhovna Rada appointed Tetiana Berezhna as Deputy Prime Minister for Humanitarian Policy of Ukraine – Minister of Culture of Ukraine. This decision was supported by 266 people's deputies. Berezhna has been acting Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine since July 28, 2025.
The Verkhovna Rada approved the President's decree, extending general mobilization for 90 days from November 5, 2025. This decision is aimed at repelling the armed aggression of the Russian Federation and will be in effect until February 3.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a Law approving the President's Decree on the extension of martial law. It has been extended from November 5, 2025, for 90 days.
The relevant committee of the Verkhovna Rada recommended adopting the draft law on amendments to the State Budget-2025. The document provides for an increase in funding for the security and defense sector by UAH 324.7 billion, including UAH 309.7 billion for the Ministry of Defense.
The Verkhovna Rada has postponed consideration of draft law No. 14057, which, according to media reports, threatens journalistic investigations. Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Freedom of Speech, said that this was done to finalize the document with media lawyers.
On October 21, the Verkhovna Rada will begin considering amendments to the draft law on the State Budget-2026, and on October 22, it is expected to adopt it as a basis. General fund revenues are projected at UAH 2.8 trillion, with a priority on defense and security.
The National Bank of Ukraine set the official dollar exchange rate at 41. 75 hryvnias, raising it for the second day in a row. The euro fell in price, and the cash dollar remained unchanged.
In the first nine months of 2025, the volume of agricultural production in Ukraine decreased by 14% compared to last year. The largest reduction was recorded in the southern and eastern regions of the country.
The Cabinet of Ministers submitted draft law No. 14120 to the Verkhovna Rada, which provides for the exclusion of the Russian and Moldovan languages from the list of those protected by the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. Instead, it is proposed to add the Czech language and Hebrew.
The bill on the legalization of the virtual assets market in Ukraine has received 2,500 amendments, which delays its consideration and voting in the second reading. It is currently not determined who will be the regulator – the NBU or the NSSMC.
The Verkhovna Rada plans to consider a draft resolution on the appointment of Tetiana Berezhna as Deputy Prime Minister for Humanitarian Policy of Ukraine – Minister of Culture of Ukraine on October 21. Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko submitted the proposal, and the committee recommended her appointment.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine will consider the issue of early termination of the powers of MP Anna Kolisnyk on October 21. Earlier, she was notified of suspicion of entering inaccurate data into her declaration and a verdict was announced in the case of declaring inaccurate information.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed extending martial law and mobilization for 90 days from November 5. Relevant draft laws No. 14128 and No. 14129 have already been submitted to the Verkhovna Rada.
Today, October 19, marks LGBT Center Awareness Day, All-Ukrainian Human Responsibility Day, and Food Industry Workers' Day. Also on this day, World Humanitarian Action Day and International Gin and Tonic Day are celebrated.
Parliamentarians have submitted proposals for the 2026 State Budget, which include salary increases for military personnel and teachers, as well as funds for demining and the reconstruction of a hospital in the Kharkiv region. Draft resolution No. 14000/P has appeared on the parliament's website.
On October 20, the "Servant of the People" faction will hold a Coordination Meeting with government representatives. They will discuss priority areas of state policy.
The VR Committee on Budget supported an amendment to increase the salaries of pedagogical and scientific-pedagogical staff of higher education institutions. The increase will begin on January 1, 2026, and will be implemented in stages throughout the year by 50%.
The Budget Committee recommended the draft law on Budget-2026 for the first reading. The committee proposes that the government make changes in the areas of defense, education, healthcare, local budgets, social sphere, and business support.
People's Deputy Yehor Cherniev stated that mobilization efforts in Ukraine are not being fulfilled 100%, and there are not enough people to form reserves, although there are enough to replenish losses. Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets reported an increase in complaints regarding human rights violations during mobilization by the TCC.
In Ukraine, in 2026, excise taxes on fuel are planned to increase by 10–17%, on cigarettes – by approximately 5%, and the excise tax on sweet drinks is expected to bring almost UAH 8 billion to the budget. The actual increase in the retail price of fuel is predicted to be around UAH 1–2 per liter.
A professional standard for military police officers has been developed in Ukraine, which defines their duties, rights to use weapons, and training requirements. The functions of military police officers will include, among other things, control over compliance with military discipline, document checks, detention, and escort of military personnel.
The Verkhovna Rada Committee on Budget instructed the Cabinet of Ministers to review military salaries upwards when planning the state budget for 2026. The government may ignore this instruction, as the details of the increase are not specified.
The Russian animated series "Masha and the Bear" may be banned in Ukraine, said Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Freedom of Speech.
Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko stated that he is monitoring the issue of law enforcement officers' accountability for groundless criminal cases against entrepreneurs, using a polygraph to check employees. He also proposed that the Rada consider BEB analytical products as documents, which will accelerate the response to business complaints through the "StopPressure" portal.
A 30-year-old man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for molesting and raping his underage cousin. The perpetrator was exposed thanks to a doctor during a routine examination of the child.
NABU detectives, who were supposed to fight corruption, found themselves at the epicenter of corruption scandals and accusations of raiding. One striking example is the case against businessman Fedorychev, as an attempt to seize terminals in the port of "Pivdennyi."
Russian occupation forces conducted searches and detained several Crimean Tatar women in temporarily occupied Crimea. Dmytro Lubinets, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, called on the international community to increase pressure on Russia.
