Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal, speaking at the forum Ukraine. Year 2025, outlined five key priorities currently guiding the Government’s efforts.
The first priority is strengthening the Security and Defence Forces. “Every hryvnia raised in Ukraine is directed towards these needs,” Shmyhal said. According to him, UAH 2.2 trillion has been allocated for defence this year, amounting to 26% of the country’s GDP. In 2024, Ukraine’s defence industry grew sixfold and now meets 30% of the army’s needs. The Government aims to increase domestic production to cover at least 50% of military requirements.
The second focus is on effective social policy. In 2024, UAH 730 billion was paid in pensions, along with UAH 180 billion in other social benefits. This year, all payments will continue on schedule, with pensions set to be indexed from 1 March. The Government also plans to introduce additional support for families with children, basic social assistance, and a funded pension system.
The third priority is national recovery, with a focus on rapid post-war reconstruction. In 2025, special attention will be given to restoring energy infrastructure and housing.
Supporting the economy and Ukrainian producers is the fourth priority. Key initiatives include concessional lending, compensation for Ukrainian-made equipment, business start-up grants, and the National Cashback programme, which already includes 5 million Ukrainians and more than 2,000 manufacturers.
The fifth priority is international cooperation. Shmyhal noted that Ukraine has already secured USD 38.4 billion in budgetary support from international partners. The Government continues to collaborate with the IMF, the European Commission, the World Bank, the EBRD, and other financial institutions.
“The challenges of the fourth year of this full-scale war are immense, but I am confident that together we will overcome them,” the Prime Minister concluded, expressing gratitude to Ukraine’s defenders.