Serhiy Marchenko
The Cabinet of Ministers appointed Orest Mandziy as the head of customs based on the results of the competition. The new head is expected to reform and ensure the transparency of the customs system.
The faction and ministers discussed draft laws to fulfill obligations to donors. According to Arakhamia, there was an open discussion on issues that concern society and on which financial aid depends.
Kyiv will only have enough finances until June, according to estimates, due to Hungary's blocking of EU aid and delays from the IMF. The NBU may begin direct lending to the state budget.
The Cabinet of Ministers plans to introduce a 5% military levy and VAT for individual entrepreneurs by April due to the budget deficit. The Ministry of Finance warns of possible restrictions on non-military payments.
Journalists have uncovered business ties between members of the commission for selecting the head of the State Customs Service and candidate Vladyslav Suvorov. The commission denies a conflict of interest, despite their past joint work.
The Ministry of Development has approved the composition of the group to prepare for the resumption of civilian flights. Experts will develop measures to protect critical infrastructure.
Ukraine received a grant of $690 million from Japan and Canada under the G7's ERA mechanism. The funds will be used to finance priority expenditures, including pensions and social programs.
Ukraine seeks to soften an unpopular tax bill concerning VAT for individual entrepreneurs, which the IMF demands. This is a condition for unlocking more than $8 billion under the financing program.
In 2025, Ukraine attracted over $52. 4 billion in external aid, of which more than 70% came from frozen Russian assets. These funds allowed for the full provision of social and humanitarian expenditures, while domestic resources were directed to security and defense.
Ukraine announced a successful restructuring of GDP warrants worth $2. 6 billion, which will avoid significant payments in the post-war period. This transaction will strengthen debt sustainability and increase the country's budget predictability.
The Verkhovna Rada has begun considering the draft law "On the State Budget of Ukraine for 2026". A vote on the document may take place 75 minutes after the discussion of reports by Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko and Budget Committee Chairwoman Roksolana Pidlasa.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has ordered an audit of state-owned energy and defense companies. He also initiated a review of ARMA and FDMU.
The Russian Federation has imposed economic sanctions against representatives of the Ukrainian government, including Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, Head of the Ministry of Finance Serhiy Marchenko, Advisor to the Minister of Defense Oleksandr Kubrakov, and Minister of Economy Oleksiy Sobolev. The reasons for these measures have not been reported.
Ukraine will receive the first financial proceeds from Japan from the revenues of frozen Russian assets in early 2026. This is part of the G7 countries' ERA mechanism worth $50 billion, which will go to finance the state budget expenditures.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is considering providing Ukraine with additional funding for gas purchases. This will help ensure the smooth passage of the 2025-2026 heating season, especially after Russia's intensified attacks on the energy system.
The Accounting Chamber has identified a number of risks in the draft State Budget for 2026, particularly due to dependence on international aid. The total volume of revenues amounts to UAH 5.45 trillion, of which almost 40% is international aid.
Ukraine's draft state budget for 2026 envisages 60 billion euros for security and defense, which accounts for 27. 2% of GDP. Minister of Finance Serhiy Marchenko announced this at a meeting of the EU Council, thanking for the support and outlining financial challenges.
In 2026, Ukraine plans to spend UAH 2. 8 trillion on national security and defense, of which UAH 955 billion will go to the procurement and production of weapons. This accounts for a third of all funds allocated for defense, with 60% of the budget to be directed to defense until the end of hostilities.
Minister of Social Policy Denys Uliutin presented the draft budget for 2026, where social spending will increase by 11%. In particular, payments for childbirth will increase to UAH 50,000 and monthly payments during the first year.
Minister of Finance Serhiy Marchenko announced the allocation of UAH 6 billion to support frontline territories. The funds will be used for housing, children's nutrition, educational spaces, and healthcare.
Minister of Finance Serhiy Marchenko announced the possibility of a repeated revision of the 2025 State Budget to increase funding for the security and defense sector. Consultations are currently underway regarding the format and timing of allocating additional expenditures.
Minister of Finance Serhiy Marchenko announced a revision of the subsistence minimum, which currently stands at 3209 hryvnias. It will be modernized and unlinked from inappropriate surcharges.
Minister of Finance Serhiy Marchenko announced an expected 18. 8% increase in State Budget revenues for 2026, reaching 2.8 trillion hryvnias. The revenue increase will be achieved through VAT, personal income tax, military levy, corporate income tax, and excise taxes.
Minister of Finance Serhiy Marchenko stated that the government has provided sufficient resources for the security and defense sector for 2026. The total volume of expenditures and provision of loans from the state budget will amount to UAH 4.8 trillion, of which UAH 2,805.8 billion will be allocated to defense and security.
Economist Oleh Pendzyn stated that the main issue of the State Budget-2026 is finding 120 billion dollars for defense, of which 60 billion dollars should be provided by partners.
Ukraine and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development have signed a loan agreement for $246. 5 million from Japan. The funds will be used for investment management for the country's post-war recovery and reconstruction.
The Ministry of Finance, the NBU, and the IMF discussed the implementation of the EFF program and budget plans. The IMF noted the effectiveness of Ukraine's work, and Serhiy Marchenko thanked them for their support.
Minister of Finance Serhiy Marchenko stated that Ukraine needs $45 billion for 2026, as hostilities are expected to continue. This need is not yet covered, and negotiations are underway with the G7, EU, and IMF.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine announced an open competition for the position of head of the State Customs Service. The government also approved a medium-term plan for customs reform, which is part of the National Revenue Strategy until 2030.
Yulia Svyrydenko instructed Serhiy Marchenko to submit a decision to the government for consideration on the formation of a competition commission for the selection of the head of the State Customs Service. This is intended to ensure a transparent and professional selection.