EBA welcomes adoption of Draft Law No. 13439-3 on increasing the state budget reserve fund

26/ 08/ 2025

On 20 August 2025, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted Draft Law No. 13439-3, which provides for an increase in the state budget reserve fund. This decision enables the Government to respond swiftly to challenges facing critical infrastructure. The European Business Association had previously called on Members of Parliament to support this provision. In its statement of 15 August, the business community stressed that expanding the fund would allow the Government to allocate resources for urgent needs, in particular, restoring transport links after enemy attacks and ensuring liquidity for Ukrzaliznytsia. According to the Cabinet of Ministers’ decision, around UAH 8 billion from the reserve fund may be directed to financial support for Ukrzaliznytsia, which, in wartime conditions, ensures the uninterrupted operation of the rail network for the needs of the military, the economy, and the civilian population. At the same time, Ukrzaliznytsia’s losses in 2025 may reach UAH 22 billion. The main reasons are the unprofitability of passenger transportation and the impossibility of cross-subsidisation due to a reduction in freight traffic. The EBA thanks Members of Parliament for supporting the draft law and for their attention to the needs of business and critical infrastructure.

The European Business Association had previously called on Members of Parliament to support this provision. In its statement of 15 August, the business community stressed that expanding the fund would allow the Government to allocate resources for urgent needs, in particular, restoring transport links after enemy attacks and ensuring liquidity for Ukrzaliznytsia.

According to the Cabinet of Ministers’ decision, around UAH 8 billion from the reserve fund may be directed to financial support for Ukrzaliznytsia, which, in wartime conditions, ensures the uninterrupted operation of the rail network for the needs of the military, the economy, and the civilian population.

At the same time, Ukrzaliznytsia’s losses in 2025 may reach UAH 22 billion. The main reasons are the unprofitability of passenger transportation and the impossibility of cross-subsidisation due to a reduction in freight traffic.

The EBA thanks Members of Parliament for supporting the draft law and for their attention to the needs of business and critical infrastructure.