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Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) Oleksandr Turchynov says the NSDC recommends the Cabinet to increase defense and security spending by UAH 9 billion, or US$346 million, that is UAH 3 billion from the general budget fund and UAH 6 billion from the special budget fund, according to an UNIAN correspondent.
"The NSDC has recommended that the government significantly increase Ukraine's defense and security spending. I really hope that this recommendation will be supported by all deputies who care about the protection of our country," Turchynov said at the NSDC meeting in Kyiv on July 11.
"As for the general budget fund, it is proposed to increase the expenditures by UAH 3 billion for the security and defense sector, namely the Defense Ministry, the National Guard, the National Police, as well as research and cyber security," he said.
Read alsoLosses from Russian aggression in Donbas estimated at about $50 bln"It is also proposed to increase by [UAH] 400 million the financing of the Justice Ministry's penitentiary system from the general budget fund. It so happened that salaries are very low. Both the government and the Justice Ministry have been instructed to submit to the NSDC meeting the draft reform of the penitentiary service," Turchynov added.
Read alsoTurchynov: Russian citizens will have to register before entering UkraineHe went on to say that the government was recommended to allocate UAH 6 billion for the country's defense and security sector from the special budget fund. According to him, the additional funding from the special fund is expected to be provided at the expense of the funds confiscated from former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and his entourage. The funds are to be spent on the procurement of weapons, military equipment, and munition.