Ukraine risks losing a significant portion of the $29.5bn in planned international funding if the Verkhovna Rada fails to pass the necessary bills within the set deadlines.
This was stated by Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi.
According to him, after several meetings with MPs, the government will officially send all members of parliament and relevant committees a timetable with clear deadlines for each required vote.
"If these deadlines are missed, Ukraine risks losing a significant portion of the $29.5bn in planned international funding," Koretskyi noted.
The Prime Minister stressed that international funding is critically necessary to balance the state budget, finance social spending and meet the needs of Ukraine’s Defence Forces.
At the same time, some of the required decisions depend directly on the government. According to Koretskyi, the Cabinet of Ministers must deliver 42 decisions.
Previously, the government planned to complete this work by 1 November, but due to the complexity of the situation it decided to speed up the fulfilment of its commitments. Officials now plan to finish by 15 October.
Read alsoStefanchuk urged MPs not to block laws on which Ukraine’s funding depends
During a meeting with ambassadors of the G7 countries and the European Union, attended by the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, ministers, MPs and heads of parliamentary committees, participants discussed the need for coordinated work to secure international financial support for Ukraine.
Koretskyi said the government is ready, together with MPs, to work through every bill, wording and individual provision to ensure the necessary support and pass decisions as quickly as possible.
"For its part, the government will deliver all the necessary decisions. We expect the same responsible work from MPs of all factions and groups," the Prime Minister emphasised.
What is happening with MPs’ voting?
- On 1 September, the Verkhovna Rada for the second time failed to pass bills on the taxation of parcels. Bill No. 15460 on amendments to the Customs Code received 194 votes, and No. 15112-d on amendments to the Tax Code received 198, short of the required 226.
- The failed vote was criticised by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It concerned, in particular, the abolition of the exemption for parcels worth up to €150. The successful adoption of the relevant changes was linked to receiving the third tranche from the International Monetary Fund of $700m and the second tranche of EU macro-financial assistance of €3.7bn under a separate support instrument for Ukraine for 2026–2027.
- “This is not money belonging to the authorities or the opposition. In Ukraine, there are no teachers’ salaries for one faction and teachers’ salaries for another parliamentary group. There are no soldiers’ salaries for one or another part of the parliamentary chamber,” Zelenskyy said.
- After that, the government submitted a new version of the bill on VAT for parcels, which also included a provision to strengthen financial monitoring of politically exposed persons (PEPs).
- The Verkhovna Rada’s agenda for next week also includes a number of bills needed to fulfil Ukraine’s commitments to international partners under the Ukraine Facility and IMF programmes.
- Read more in LB.ua’s article "In Brussels, They Will Now Think Ten Times". Why the Rada Is Not Passing Laws on Which EU Aid Depends".