European Solidarity Denounces 2027 Budget for Underfunding Military and Ignoring Troop Pay Raises

European Solidarity Voices Deep Concern Over Defense Funding

According to 5 канал: The European Solidarity faction has raised alarms regarding the 2027 state budget proposal, highlighting a severe shortfall in military financing. The draft budget fails to increase soldiers' salaries and allocates only half of the necessary funds to the Ministry of Defense. In response, the faction submitted amendments suggesting an allocation exceeding 500 billion UAH to support Ukraine's defenders; however, none of these proposals were accepted during the first reading of the bill.

Criticism of Government’s Budget Priorities

Irina Herashchenko, representing European Solidarity, criticized the budget plan as

“insufficient for a country still resisting Russian aggression.”

Additionally, Irina Friz pointed out that

“military pay rates have not been revised since the full-scale invasion began,”

and the government has failed to propose necessary reforms addressing military pensions. This reflects a lack of fulfillment of commitments to adequately fund the armed forces.

The faction also condemned the removal of personal income tax revenue from local budgets. Herashchenko explained that this move

“restricts the financial capabilities of communities.”

Friz added that

“units must have autonomy over resource management to meet their specific needs.”

Former President Petro Poroshenko weighed in, urging the government to restore funds taken from Kyiv’s city budget and to pass bill No. 9358, which focuses on systematic financing for the construction and modernization of civil shelters. He emphasized that after five years of full-scale war, the issue of accessible shelters for civilians remains unresolved.

The European Solidarity faction affirmed its commitment to continue pushing for increased funding for the military and improved financial support for servicemembers, stressing that these are essential for maintaining Ukraine’s defense capabilities.

This stance from European Solidarity highlights the critical importance of properly financing Ukraine’s defense amid ongoing conflict with Russia. Insufficient military pay and underfunding of the Defense Ministry risk undermining troop morale and overall defense effectiveness. Moreover, the diversion of tax revenues away from local governments further weakens the communities that play a vital role in supporting Ukraine’s defenders.

In light of the ongoing discussions about military funding, it's essential to note that the European Solidarity faction has also put forth demands for a substantial allocation of ₴515 billion to bolster Ukraine’s Armed Forces. This proposal emphasizes the urgent need for salary adjustments and local budget protections, which are crucial for maintaining the operational efficiency of military units. For a deeper understanding of these pressing budgetary concerns, you can read more about their specific requests here.