Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the introduction of a special payment for at least 13 million citizens. This applies to pensioners and social assistance recipients, who will receive an additional 1500 hryvnias in support starting in April.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Details of the Support Program
According to Zelensky, the agreement was reached in collaboration with Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, as well as ministers Oleksiy Sobolev and Denys Ulyutin. The relevant program is to be developed by the Ministry of Social Policy and will concern those groups of the population living with low income levels. Payments will be made automatically and without additional bureaucracy.
“We agreed with Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, and ministers Oleksiy Sobolev and Denys Ulyutin to prepare several support programs for Ukrainians. In particular, the Ministry of Social Policy is to prepare a special payment program for Ukrainian pensioners and those groups in our society who receive social assistance. At least 13 million Ukrainians will receive this payment, which will amount to 1500 hryvnias,” he wrote on Telegram.
In addition, the president announced the development of a support program for consumers of diesel fuel, gasoline, and automotive gas. The new measures are intended to assist those feeling the pressure from the instability of the fuel market, particularly due to the situation surrounding Iran and the reduction in oil supplies. A cashback system is planned to be introduced, which will partially compensate for fuel expenses.
Ukraine’s Budget Situation and International Support
In 2026, Ukraine operates under a state budget with a deficit of about 1.9 trillion hryvnias. Planned revenues amount to 2.9 trillion hryvnias, while expenditures reach 4.8 trillion hryvnias.
On February 26, the Board of Directors of the International Monetary Fund approved a new four-year extended funding program for Ukraine amounting to 8.1 billion US dollars. This program is designed to help Ukraine address its balance of payments issues, achieve medium-term external viability, and ensure the sustainability of public debt in the future.
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko noted that Ukraine will soon receive the first tranche under the new IMF program. Its amount will be approximately 1.5 billion dollars and will be directed towards financing the budget deficit and supporting macro-financial stability.