KYIV, Sept 21 – Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko at a meeting of the Verkhovna Rada presented the draft state budget of Ukraine for 2023 with national security and defense spending of UAH 1.14 trillion, or 17.8% of GDP and a deficit of 20% of GDP, which is supposed to be financed with the help of external partners.

"It is as objective as possible and takes into account risks, has clearly defined priorities: strengthening the state's defense capability and social protection of citizens," he said in a press release from the department.