Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk has promised to increase social benefits when the Ukrainian economy improves.

"One can't deceive people and give what's not there. [When we] collect [money], I guarantee, we'll share [the money] and raise social standards. But first give us an opportunity to launch the economy instead of a printing press and inflation," he said at a sitting of the Verkhovna Rada on Friday.

"The war with Russia caused 20% of the Ukrainian economy to be lost, and thousands of victims [were killed or wounded by] Russian aggression. It's very difficult for our country to live, but it does and moves forward," Yatseniuk said.

He said that not a single social benefit has been delayed within 15 months.

"We paid all the pensions, salaries, all social standards – we carried out all social obligations the country has to [carry out]," Yatseniuk said.

He also admitted that social standards must be raised, adding that "money can be given, when we make it."