On January 1, 2016, welfare benefits in Ukraine will be increased, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said.

"I note that on January 1 we will also make decisive steps to increase people's social welfare," Poroshenko said in an interview with on Ukrainian TV on Sunday.

He also said that military wages will be raised as well which will increase the number of contract soldiers, as those willing to switch to contract service will be properly motivated to do so if their wages are high enough.