Kyiv: Ukraine's parliament voted Tuesday to raise the war-torn country's defense spending as it adopted an amendment to its budget for 2025. The draft law, which proposed to raise state expenditures for national security and defense by about 324.7 billion Ukrainian hryvnia ($7.7 billion), was adopted in the first reading and as a whole. It has to be signed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to take effect. The Verkhovna Rada, or parliament, website said the document received the support of 297 lawmakers during the latest vote.

According to Anadolu Agency, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko commented on Telegram that this budget adjustment will enable Ukraine to meet its commitments to its defense personnel, ensuring timely salary payments. She highlighted that a significant portion of the additional funds will be sourced from interest accrued on frozen Russian assets, which forms part of the EU's contribution to the G7-led Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) loans initiative.

Additionally, Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko assured that the Ukrainian government has identified sources to finance the military's increased expenses. Marchenko emphasized the necessity of this budget increase due to the evolving situation and the need for effective resistance against aggression. He was quoted in a statement by the ministry.

In July, the Verkhovna Rada had already approved an increase in defense spending amounting to approximately 412.3 billion Ukrainian hryvnia. This latest budget amendment comes amidst ongoing intense conflict between Russian and Ukrainian forces, with diplomatic efforts to resolve the more than three-and-a-half-year war having recently stalled.