KYIV, July 18 – Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers on Wednesday banned the payment of bonuses and awards in state companies.

"I propose ... prohibiting the payment of bonuses and rewards in state-owned companies in Ukraine. I think that salaries and bonuses should be worthy ... But as for greed, excess, I cannot support that," Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman said.

He instructed the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade to prepare a decision that will determine the "ceiling" of additional payments. In turn, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development and Trade Stepan Kubiv, said his ministry would comply in 72 hours.