Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has asked Prime Minister Denis Shmygal to replace Oleksandr Tkachenko as Minister of Culture and Information Policy.
“Budget expenditures during such a war are the maximum of state attention, which means that state resources should go to defense. And every project that can be realized with extra-budgetary resources should be realized with extra-budgetary resources,” he said in a video message on Thursday.
According to him, this applies to different spheres and, in particular, the field of culture.
“Museums, cultural centers, symbols, serials. All this is important, but now other priorities. Find extra-budgetary funds. Not of the state,” Zelensky said.
“I suggested to the head of the government two steps. The first is to find extra-budgetary funds for projects that you really need now. There are people in the world who can help. And the second, asked the Prime Minister to consider replacing the Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine,” he also said.
According to Zelensky, “people should feel that the resources of budgets are used fairly and correctly. Everyone understands what we are talking about. Paving stones, decoration of cities, fountains will wait. Victory first.”