Ukraine is urging quick financial help from allies as its war with Russia looks poised to drag into another year. Kyiv is staring at a roughly $27 billion shortfall in its 2026 defense budget, a gap created in part by front-loading spending on drones and other gear while a $105 billion EU loan was held up by Hungary. Early this year, the defense ministry had to dip into funds “intended to be disbursed in the second half [of the year],” President Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters, per Politico. Ukraine says the money is needed not only for weapons and air defenses but also salaries for troops and support for families of the dead.
European leaders in Kyiv on Monday to mark Ukraine’s 35th Independence Day, including UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, vowed to continue backing the country. As Brussels approved about $7 billion in fresh defense procurement, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Europe was “stepping up” for Ukraine and would “deliver what it needs, when it needs it,” per Euronews. But Zelensky says available funds still fall well short: he estimates up to $10 billion is required for a “normal start” to 2027, plus another $20 billion for personnel and other military costs. He suggests frozen Russian assets could provide additional funds, per the Kyiv Post.