Zelensky's annual address to parliament: "economic passport for Ukrainians," lending program and war in Donbas

The president announced he will submit a bill on dual citizenship to the Verkhovna Rada.

On December 1, President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered his annual address to the Verkhovna Rada. Here is what the president said. 

"Economic Passport for Ukrainians"

Zelensky announced the introduction of an "economic passport for Ukrainians" — accounts for children into which funds from payments for the use of subsoil resources will accumulate, and which children will be able to use for education or housing after reaching the age of majority. 

Volodymyr Zelensky
President of Ukraine

By December 10, for the first time in history, I will submit a bill on the economic passport for Ukrainians. Under it, these funds — payments for the use of our subsoil resources — will accumulate in personal accounts of children of citizens of Ukraine. Upon reaching the age of majority, children can use these savings to obtain an education or buy their own housing. 

According to him, funds for the "economic passport for Ukrainians" will appear thanks to the tax law No. 5600 adopted on November 30, which increases payments for the use of natural resources. 

Zelensky noted that thanks to these two laws, "our oligarchs will finally become real investors in the future of our children." 

"Ukrainian Dream"

The president also announced the "Ukrainian Dream" lending program — a loan at a 5% rate in hryvnias to buy their own real estate in a new home, an electric car, and to obtain education or retrain for a new profession. 

Volodymyr Zelensky
President of Ukraine

I do not want the main word of my address today to be "COVID," and I do not want it to be the word "lockdown." I want the main association with our country to be something else. I want the word "first" to always stand next to the word "Ukraine." I will talk about the main thing: what has been done for the first time and what comes next. Despite the global pandemic and the economic crisis it caused, we have stabilized the economic situation. In 2021, the size of Ukraine's economy will for the first time reach a record level since independence — exceeding $190 billion, more than in the pre-crisis years of 2008 and 2013. 

According to him, Ukraine will reduce public debt to below 50% of GDP: "Even though in recent years it has grown rapidly in most countries and on average in the world exceeds 90%. Our gold and foreign exchange reserves have grown and today reach $30 billion. This is the highest figure since 2013." 

Zelensky said that for the first time in the history of independent Ukraine, the interest rate on loans for small and medium-sized businesses has fallen below 10%. Today, on average, it is 9.7%. Thanks to the "Affordable Loans 5-7-9" program, small and medium-sized businesses have received more than 70 billion hryvnias and created thousands of new jobs. 

"Soon we will launch the "Ukrainian Dream" program, under which every citizen who honestly pays taxes will be able to get a loan at a 5% rate in hryvnias to buy their own real estate in a new home, an electric car, and to obtain education or retrain for a new profession," the president said. 

War in Donbas

Volodymyr Zelensky believes that Ukrainian authorities will not be able to stop the war and bring Donbas back under control without direct dialogue with Russia. 

Volodymyr Zelensky
President of Ukraine

We must tell the truth. We will not be able to stop the war without direct negotiations with Russia, and now everyone has acknowledged this. All external partners, and some internal ones, do not acknowledge this. We must speak knowing that we have a strong, powerful army, and not be afraid to tell each other the truth now. If we want to return Donbas, then let's do it, and if we just want to keep walking and talking about it, then let's do nothing. 

The president noted that Ukraine will not be able to stop the war without the Ukrainian army. According to him, he is not afraid of direct dialogue with Russia. 

Apartments for ATO and JFO Veterans

Zelensky said that in 2022, the authorities will provide apartments to all veterans of the Anti-Terrorist Operation and the Joint Forces Operation who are on the state housing waiting list. 

Volodymyr Zelensky
President of Ukraine

I am proud that next year, for the first time since the start of the war in eastern Ukraine, we will fully clear the housing queue for all war veterans in eastern Ukraine. Immediately after the veterans, we are launching the same process for all our servicemen. 

He noted that in 2022, financing for the defense and security sector will exceed 320 billion hryvnias, while in 2018 this amount was 191.7 billion hryvnias. 

Dual Citizenship

The president announced he will submit a bill on dual citizenship to the Verkhovna Rada. 

Volodymyr Zelensky
President of Ukraine

An important component of our international policy is support for the global Ukrainian community. I know how important the issue of dual citizenship is for Ukrainians living in the USA, Canada and the EU. Today I am submitting the relevant bill for consideration by parliament. 

According to him, for the first time Ukrainians from around the world will feel they are not a diaspora, not just people of "Ukrainian origin," but holders of Ukrainian citizenship. 

Modern Drone Factory

According to the president, in 2022 financing for the defense and security sector will exceed 320 billion hryvnias. For the first time, construction of a modern drone factory is beginning. 

Volodymyr Zelensky
President of Ukraine

I am proud that for the first time in 30 years, in 2022 financing for the defense and security sector will exceed 320 billion hryvnias. Whereas in 2018 this amount was only 192 billion hryvnias. Within these funds, we are for the first time launching a comprehensive missile program, a program to restore the Ukrainian navy, and the creation of cyber forces in Ukraine. For the first time since independence, we are building Antonov An-178 aircraft. For the first time, we are starting construction of a modern drone factory in Ukraine. 

He noted that for the first time in many years, the National Security and Defense Council has begun to truly deal with the security and defense of the state. 

"A state independent of thieves-in-law, smugglers, criminal authorities, and agents of other states. Protecting its land, its subsoil, drinking water, forests and strategic enterprises," Zelensky added.