Ukrainian parliament did not take money from military, government is responsible for salaries – Ukrainian Security Service Colonel Kostenko

He explained this on the air of the Espreso TV channel.

"The Ukrainian parliament did not take money from the military. The parliament voted for the budget and the money is included in the budget for payments to the military. The government withdraws or gives salaries to the military, and then discussions are held on the instructions of the president's office. When payments to the military were withdrawn, it was argued that it was the parliament that did it. No, MPs did not take anything away. But neither the government nor the president's office wanted to admit that. And the MPs voted and returned the payments to the military," Kostenko emphasised.

The Ukrainian Security Service colonel also noted the need to equip and supply people who are fighting on the front line and exercising at training grounds to go into battle.

"We have to find funds for the military. We need to fight corruption, deal with customs and control the tax service. We need to talk to our partners to give money for the military. We need to tell our partners that they have to provide for our soldiers so that their soldiers do not have to fight in the future. People who went to defend us deserve a decent salary. The government should step aside if it is unable to do so. Let those who can find money for the military come forward," Kostenko emphasised.

• On April 10, the Ukrainian parliament voted to return 30,000 hryvnia extra payments to the military, and to return pay increments to the State Emergency Service and police officers.