The Verkhovna Rada has cleared the way for the signing of a law amending the 2026 state budget, which, among other things, provides for a UAH 1.56 trillion increase in security and defense spending. Specifically, parliament rejected all seven blocking resolutions regarding Bill No. 15224, according to the Ukrainian News agency.
Between 19 and 24 MPs voted in favor of the relevant motions, falling short of the minimum required 226 votes.
Consequently, the bill can now be signed first by Verkhovna Rada Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk and then sent to the President for his signature.
The Verkhovna Rada convened on Thursday, June 18, to unblock the defense funding bill; the session was held at the request of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
In particular, Fedorov noted in a letter to Stefanchuk that delaying the entry into force of this law could lead to a delay in receiving financial assistance from the European Union, which would have a direct negative impact on meeting the needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, on June 10, the Verkhovna Rada amended the state budget for 2026, specifically increasing spending on security and defense by UAH 1.56 trillion to UAH 4.4 trillion. State budget expenditures were increased primarily through a EUR 90 billion loan for 2026–2027 approved by the European Union, of which EUR 45 billion is expected this year.
Overall, revenues in the 2026 state budget increased by more than UAH 2.3 trillion to UAH 5,196 billion, and the budget deficit decreased by UAH 651.5 billion — from 18.5% to 12.1% of GDP (a reduction of 6.4%).
In April, the European Union approved a two-year support package for Ukraine worth EUR 90 billion; the first tranche is expected in June.
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