Yaroslav Zheleznyak

A bill to increase the budget by UAH 500 billion for military needs has been submitted to President Zelensky for his signature. The Verkhovna Rada passed the bill on September 18, increasing total spending to UAH 3.73 trillion.

Parliament passed a resolution to rename 327 settlements with Russian and Soviet names. The names of 10 cities, numerous towns and villages in different regions of Ukraine were changed.

The Verkhovna Rada has passed a law obliging construction customers to publish prices for materials in Prozorro. The information must be published within 3 business days after the contract with the contractor is concluded.

The Verkhovna Rada has adopted a resolution to rename 328 settlements in Ukraine. The names associated with Russian and Soviet narratives, including the names of Moscow figures and Soviet symbols, are being changed.

The Verkhovna Rada passed draft law No. 11417, increasing the budget by UAH 500 billion for military needs. Total expenditures this year reached a record UAH 3.73 trillion, although some “excessive” expenditures were not cut.

The government will introduce a draft law amending sanctions legislation. It is proposed to prohibit the use of software products and access to electronic resources related to countries and individuals under sanctions.

The Verkhovna Rada's Temporary Investigation Commission is considering solutions to combat drops, including strengthening financial monitoring and limiting turnover. According to estimates, about UAH 200 billion a year goes through drops.

The Ministry of Energy denies the accident at the South Ukrainian NPP, calling it a fake. However, MP Zheleznyak received confirmation from Ukrenergo of an emergency incident on July 15 involving damage to transformers.

MP Nina Yuzhanina believes that the government's proposed tax increase could lead to the relocation of Ukrainian entrepreneurs abroad. She suggests revising the expenditure side of the budget first.

The Verkhovna Rada again failed to remove Mariana Bezuhla from the National Security and Defense Committee. The 'Servants of the People' party reportedly left the meeting of the Regulatory Committee, disrupting the quorum.

The President submitted to the Rada draft laws extending martial law and general mobilization from August 12 for 90 days. Parliament is expected to approve them in the near future.

The Ukrainian Parliament passed in the second reading a bill to increase the excise tax on fuel.

The Verkhovna Rada Committee on Finance, Taxation and Customs Policy has supported a draft law introducing an excise tax of EUR 0. 1 per liter on sweetened and flavored water, including mineral and sparkling water, which is expected to increase the price of such beverages by about UAH 4 per liter.

The Verkhovna Rada has supported a draft law that obliges all parties to publish prices for construction materials on Prozorro within 3 business days of concluding or amending a contract.

The Verkhovna Rada has passed in the first reading a bill that exempts journalists from liability for moving during curfew while performing their professional duties and abolishes liability for online media for disseminating certain information.

The Verkhovna Rada abolished tax and customs duties on imports of essential equipment, with amendments providing for exemption from duty and VAT on imports of energy equipment.

A committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine will consider the possibility of introducing an excise tax on sweet and flavored beverages to reduce their consumption and negative impact on public health.

A Verkhovna Rada committee has approved for the second reading a draft law to increase excise taxes on fuel, including liquefied natural gas, with the law expected to come into force on September 1, 2024.

The session of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine was postponed for a week due to the NATO summit, although the real reason may be related to possible personnel changes in the government.

The Cabinet of Ministers approved the budget declaration for 2025-2027, keeping the minimum wage and subsistence minimum at the level of 2024: the minimum wage is set at UAH 8,000, and the subsistence minimum is set at UAH 2,361 to UAH 3,196, depending on age and employment status.

Ukraine plans to draft a bill to legalize cryptocurrencies with the support of the IMF by the end of December, as well as to implement reforms to tax industrial emissions and extractive industries in the postwar period.

Ukraine expects to receive a $2. 2 billion tranche from the IMF after the successful 4th review of the EFF program at the June 28 IMF Board meeting.

Stefanchuk signed a bill to reset the BEB and sent it to Zelensky for signature.

The Verkhovna Rada is considering a bill prohibiting the passage of vehicles through protected areas, with the exception of public roads, private territories and vehicles used by officials, environmental inspectors, local residents and tourists on specially designated routes.

Public utilities can use equipment imported as humanitarian aid during martial law and for 12 months after its termination.

During a meeting of the parliamentary committee, MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak tried to remove an anti-corruption provision from the draft law on reforming the Bureau of Economic Security that would disqualify candidates entered in the Register of Corrupt Officials, but his proposal was rejected.

Parliament passed a bill that allows the redeployment of military units during martial law by decision of the General Staff of the Armed Forces in coordination with the Ministry of Defense.

The Verkhovna Rada passed a law establishing a "white business club" to simplify relations with tax authorities for taxpayers with a high level of voluntary tax payment during martial law.

The Verkhovna Rada adopted as a basis the draft law on academic integrity, which defines the Basic Rules of academic integrity, types of violations, including plagiarism and works written using artificial intelligence, as well as fines for violations.

The Verkhovna Rada has adopted as a basis a bill prohibiting placing any advertising or advertising and propaganda information about persons who are not manufacturers on the packaging of medicines.