Poroshenko’s Strategy to Strengthen the Ukrainian Armed Forces
Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has emphasized the critical need to enhance the combat readiness of Ukraine’s Armed Forces (AFU) amid the ongoing conflict. These priorities are integrated into his proposed Government Action Plan and the 2027 State Budget. Poroshenko has criticized the existence of more than 515 billion hryvnias in non-targeted budget expenditures and advocates redirecting these funds toward defense. He sees this amount as an untapped resource that could significantly reinforce military capabilities.
Poroshenko suggests allocating 33 billion hryvnias directly to military brigades through a military tax on personal income. Additionally, he points to the potential release of 87 billion hryvnias by trimming state administrative expenses. Another 161.5 billion hryvnias could be freed from consumption and development reserves across various ministries and agencies.
- 41 billion hryvnias currently spent on road infrastructure;
- 35 billion hryvnias allocated for cash payments;
- 16 billion hryvnias dedicated to the Ukrainian Railways' “Three Thousand Kilometers” program;
- 10 billion hryvnias for medical screening;
- 9.4 billion hryvnias on cashback initiatives;
- 1.62 billion hryvnias financing the telethon.
His party, European Solidarity, has also urged a budgetary reallocation to meet the Armed Forces’ needs, demanding the return of 40 billion hryvnias to the military sector and calling for an immediate parliamentary session to address this.
The Imperative of Financial Resilience
Poroshenko: “A war of attrition cannot drag on endlessly. We need a military stance that compels Putin to enter genuine negotiations and halt fire on land, in the air, and at sea.”
Poroshenko stresses that the conflict cannot persist indefinitely and insists that a ceasefire must not be misconstrued as acceptance of occupation. "Ceasing hostilities does not mean surrendering our territories or legitimizing occupation," he affirms.
He highlights the importance of financial stability for Ukraine during wartime, noting that European financial aid underpins the country’s macroeconomic steadiness. Poroshenko calls for strengthening the Armed Forces so that Russia understands that continuing the war will yield no gains.
Poroshenko: “This is what the budget of a country looks like—not merely discussing a ceasefire, but creating conditions that will force Russia to agree to it.”
Poroshenko’s statements underscore the urgent need to finance Ukraine’s defense amidst ongoing conflict. Allocating substantial budget resources to fortify the military could dramatically enhance the nation’s defense capacity and strengthen Ukraine’s position in international negotiations. His emphasis on fiscal stability and targeted resource deployment reflects the necessity for coordinated action in response to military challenges.
In light of these financial proposals, it is worth noting that the Ukrainian Defense Ministry has recently restructured its arms procurement strategy, unlocking 15.6 billion UAH to address pressing military requirements. This move highlights the urgent need for effective budget reallocations to bolster defense capabilities amid ongoing challenges. For more details on how these changes aim to meet the military's immediate needs, see the full report on the recent procurement overhaul.