ZHYTOMYR, Oct 17 – The financing of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be increased from UAH 64.5 billion in 2017 to almost UAH 84 billion in 2018, according to the draft state budget, President Petro Poroshenko said.

"While in 2017, some UAH 64.5 billion was provided to cover the needs of the Armed Forces, according to the document signed by me (the resolution of the National Security and Defense Council), this amount is planned to be increased in the draft budget for 2018 – imagine that – almost to UAH 84 billion. And we will keep the current proportion, so that at least 5% of the gross domestic product is assigned for the defense and security sector," he said in the village of Ozerne, Zhytomyr region, speaking with the servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Saturday.