The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has approved amendments to the 2026 State Budget, significantly increasing funding for defense and security sectors. A total of 242 lawmakers voted in favor of the changes, while the “European Solidarity” and “Fatherland” factions opposed the measure, with only one member from the “Voice” faction supporting it.
According to Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, the additional budget allocation for defense and security will rise by 1.56 trillion hryvnias, bringing the total funding for these areas to 4.4 trillion hryvnias. This substantial increase is aimed at enhancing Ukraine’s military capabilities amid ongoing conflicts.
Of the increased funds, 2.3 trillion hryvnias will be dedicated to the procurement of weapons and military equipment, while over 1.45 trillion hryvnias will be allocated for the salaries of military personnel. The government has indicated that this financial boost is made possible through support from the European Union and other international programs, which are expected to provide around 90 billion euros, with a significant portion arriving in 2026.
In addition to defense funding, the budget amendments also include an extra 40 billion hryvnias for the implementation of Comprehensive Regional Resilience Plans. These funds will be directed towards protecting critical infrastructure, ensuring communities have backup power sources, and enhancing the resilience of essential services in the face of military threats.
On May 28, the Verkhovna Rada had initially approved the draft amendments to the 2026 State Budget, which set the stage for this significant increase in defense and security expenditures.
The Ukrainian Parliament has approved substantial budget increases for defense and security, reflecting a commitment to bolster military capabilities amid ongoing challenges. The amendments also allocate funds for regional resilience efforts.