European Solidarity Demands ₴515 Billion for Ukraine’s Armed Forces, Salary Adjustments, and Protection for Local Budgets in 2027 State Budget

European Solidarity’s Key Budget Priorities

According to 5 канал: The European Solidarity faction is calling for an additional ₴515 billion to be allocated to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, increased funding for combat brigades, salary indexation for military personnel, and safeguarding local government budgets within the 2027 State Budget draft. These proposals were spearheaded by MP Nina Yuzhanina, who emphasized the need to redistribute military personnel income tax to maintain the financial viability of local self-governments.

Details of the Proposal

One of the faction’s central demands is to direct ₴33 billion straight to combat brigades by reallocating the military personal income tax (PIT). The plan suggests that 30% of this military PIT be given directly to the brigades, while 10% should support the State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection. Additionally, the faction insists on adjusting military salaries to keep pace with inflation.

European Solidarity strongly opposes any reduction in local community budgets and warns against excessive centralization of financial resources in the 2027 budget framework. Nina Yuzhanina stated:

“There are numerous attempts to encroach upon local budgets because the central government believes it can seize all funds from the grassroots, disregarding the fundamental principles of decentralization.”

She stressed the importance of preserving the core structure of decentralization and local budgets.

The faction submitted a comprehensive package of amendments to Budget Bill No. 16000, proposing cuts of ₴161.5 billion from various ministries and agencies to redirect those funds toward defense spending. Petro Poroshenko, leader of European Solidarity and Ukraine’s fifth president, previously urged the government to eliminate non-essential expenditures amounting to half a trillion hryvnias and channel those savings into supporting the Armed Forces. He declared:

“Our demands are clear: at least ₴500 billion in additional resources for the military, to purchase weapons and defense technologies; and 30% of military PIT revenues directly to the brigades.”

The proposals also call for a revision of government operational expenses based on actual 2026 figures and inflation adjustments, along with cuts to capital development expenditures within certain budget programs. European Solidarity intends to vigorously advocate for these changes during the first reading of the 2027 State Budget bill.

These initiatives highlight the growing urgency of adequately financing Ukraine’s defense amid ongoing conflict. The focus on tax redistribution and budget reprioritization underscores the critical need to supply the military and support local governments. How the government responds to these demands will significantly impact regional financial stability and the country’s overall security landscape.

In light of these significant budgetary demands, it is crucial to explore how European Solidarity is advocating for a comprehensive budget reform aimed at bolstering Ukraine's defense capabilities and supporting local governance. The faction's proposals not only address immediate military funding needs but also emphasize the importance of decentralization, which is vital for maintaining the financial health of local communities amidst ongoing challenges.