Kiev, 21 July 2023 (dpa/MIA) - Ukrainian Culture Minister Oleksandr Tkachenko resigned on Thursday, as President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the minister's decisions on allocating state funds.

There had been "a wave of misunderstandings about the importance of culture in times of war", Tkachenko said on Telegram late on Thursday.

He defended spending on cultural projects, even in times of war, as he tendered his resignation.

"Culture during war is important because it is not only a war for territories, but also for people," he said.

"Both private and budget funds during the war for culture are no less important than for drones, because culture is the shield of our identity and our borders."

In his nightly video address, Zelensky said he had asked Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal to consider replacing Tkachenko.

"In times of war like this, the maximum state attention, and therefore state resources, should be spent on defense. This is an obvious thing," Zelensky said.

"Museums, cultural centers, symbols, TV series - all of this is important, but now there are other priorities."

Local authorities should use budget resources "fairly and properly," Zelensky said.

"Paving stones, city decorations, and fountains can wait till after the victory."