Ukrainian parliament gives initial approval for 2024 budget increasing army funding

FILE PHOTO: Ukrainian servicemen fire a howitzer towards Russian troops at a position near a frontline, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine October 11, 2023. REUTERS/Yevhen Titov/File Photo

KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine's parliament gave initial approval on Thursday for the 2024 budget, which will increase funding for the army and national defence because of the war with Russia.

Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko said the government's priorities next year included accumulating funds for defence and security, and securing social payments for the population "to bring Ukraine's victory closer."