🇺🇦🏛️Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine: Plenary Session of 19 September 2025 and Government Q&A Hour
As the editorial team of ndu.kr.ua, we are reporting on the work of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, which, even under the most challenging wartime conditions, remains a platform for making crucial decisions.
Today’s plenary session of parliament opened with the attendance of Prime Minister Yuliia Seredenko and members of the Cabinet of Ministers. This session once again confirmed that the Verkhovna Rada continues to operate in a format that combines democratic traditions with the special requirements of martial law.
Key Organisational Provisions
According to the resolution on certain issues regarding the organisation of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of the ninth convocation during martial law, Members of Parliament proceeded with the agenda items.
Government Address
Minister of Finance Serhii Marchenko took the floor, responded to MPs’ questions, and presented the key financial benchmarks.
Pension Fund Budget
The Pension Fund budget will not affect the timeliness or completeness of pension payments. Indexation has already been implemented in 2025, and the same policy will continue in 2026.
Military Personnel Remuneration
The budget provides sufficient resources to finance the security and defence sector. Payments to the military remain stable, and the system of bonuses (UAH 100,000, 70,000, or 30,000) is applied flexibly depending on the situation.
State Budget Revenues
Revenues in 2026 are projected to increase by UAH 446.8 billion (+18.8%), reaching UAH 2.8 trillion. The main sources are VAT, personal income tax, military levy, excise duties, and corporate income tax.
Cooperation with Parliament
The government is ready to work with the budget committee and working groups to optimise expenditures and find additional sources of revenue.
Support for Frontline Territories
For 2026, the plan includes: UAH 6 billion in transfers, UAH 15 billion for education, UAH 2.3 billion for healthcare, along with social programmes and business loans.
Potential Revision of the 2025 Budget
The government may initiate changes to increase security and defence spending if required by the frontline situation.
External Financing for 2026
The total requirement stands at UAH 2.079 trillion, most of which is already covered by international support (Ukraine Facility, frozen Russian assets, and loans).
Uncovered need for 2026 — USD 18.1 billion.
A 4-year programme may require USD 150–170 billion.
Support for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)
The 2026 budget allocates UAH 72 billion for IDP programmes: housing support (UAH 14 billion), eOselya (UAH 4.4 billion), eVidnovlennia (UAH 4 billion), HOME project (+UAH 2.5 billion), Prykhystok, and other initiatives.
Living Wage
The base level is UAH 3,029. The government supports a bill to update the living wage and unlink it from unrelated payments so it becomes a realistic and transparent indicator of living standards.
Powers of Budget Holders
The Minister reminded that the Ministry of Finance does not have direct control over main budget holders. Under Article 22 of the Budget Code, they are responsible for:
Receiving budget allocations,
Developing programme passports,
Organising and carrying out monitoring,
Managing funds.
The Ministry of Finance may only initiate funding reductions in case of non-compliance. Therefore, enhanced communication with local communities is essential, as they are responsible for creating safe conditions in educational and healthcare facilities.
The 2026 budget provides UAH 5 billion for secondary education alone to create shelters and safe learning spaces.
Work of Factions and Groups
Parliamentary factions and groups engaged actively in the discussion. The Minister of Finance thanked MPs for their constructive questions, reaffirming the genuine partnership between parliament and the current government.
Key Takeaways for Citizens
Pensions and social payments are guaranteed.
Defence spending remains a priority.
State budget revenues are increasing.
Frontline territories and IDPs will receive support.
The living wage will be updated.
Local communities gain greater responsibility for safety in education and healthcare.
Conclusions and Next Steps
The session confirmed that the Verkhovna Rada effectively combines democratic debate with fiscal responsibility. The government demonstrated readiness for adaptive decisions aimed at social stability, defence capability, and support for the most vulnerable citizens.
