The Board of the Association of Ukrainian Cities has appealed to the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Serhii Koretskyi, demanding the immediate unblocking of payments by local self-government bodies, which since September have in effect been frozen despite the availability of funds in local budgets. This is stated in the AUC’s appeal.
According to the Association, from 9 September 2026 communities have been unable to carry out a range of important financial transactions, even when their expenditure complies with Resolution No. 590 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. This concerns, in particular, the purchase of fuel for service vehicles dispatched to provide medical assistance or deal with the aftermath of shelling, as well as payment for works and equipment for medical, educational and social institutions.
The appeal notes that the blocking of payments jeopardises preparations for the heating season, the implementation of community resilience plans, the work of municipal enterprises and the setting up of invincibility centres. There is no possibility to finance the repair of infrastructure and energy facilities damaged by shelling, nor to settle accounts with suppliers of energy resources and fuel, repair organisations and waste removal companies.
«Blocking community payments to suppliers of energy resources and fuel, repair crews, waste removal companies and others is leading to consequences that the aggressor has been unable to achieve with shelling since the start of the full-scale invasion», the Association of Ukrainian Cities emphasised in its appeal.
Community heads warn that without the swiftest possible resumption of payments, the conditions for the operation of state and international institutions, as well as educational, medical and social establishments in all communities across the country, will in effect be destroyed.
The AUC Board also asks the Government to suspend the accrual of penalties on communities for failure to repay loans and for late payments, since the Government has not published any official decision on the blocking of payments. Separately, the Association has called for moves to bring to account those officials whose actions or inaction led to the shutdown of municipal services across Ukraine.