The government-proposed draft budget is opposed by Ukraine's civil servants, who fear potential cuts in salaries and reduced social benefits.
Parliament will hold a vote to adopt the state budget next Tuesday, and Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk has said that he will support the draft despite the protests. Aid to refugees and Ukrainian soldiers will not be cut, according to the parliament’s ruling coalition, Ukraine Today reports.
One-third of the state budget, which is UAH 86 billion, will cover defense issues. Today, the country’s economy is struggling from the devaluation of national currency and huge debts accumulated during the rule of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych.
See unian.info’s video section for more of the latest news from Ukraine in video from Ukraine Today, Ukraine’s 24-hour English-language news channel.