Ukraine’s parliament begins 26-day recess as lawmaker cites financial crisis

Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada began a 26-day recess on Sept. 17, with no plenary sessions scheduled until Oct. 13, according to lawmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak. He linked the break to what he called a financial crisis that has already forced postponement of spending on hospitals, schools and shelters until December.

The recess follows weeks of warnings from officials: President Zelenskyy cited a $27 billion defense funding shortfall in August, Defense Minister Khmara confirmed the gap while claiming solutions were in hand, and Finance Minister Marchenko said the budget situation is the worst since the 2022 invasion. Prime Minister Koretskyi warned that delayed legislation could jeopardize $29.5 billion in international aid.

Before recessing, the Rada did pass seven bills in first reading tied to that aid, including changes to parcel taxation and customs rules, after EU commissioners spelled out required legislation for further funding.

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