The Ministry of Finance announced that Ukraine needs an additional $27 billion for defense

Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko stated that Ukraine still needs additional funds for defense spending in 2026, despite the European Commission’s statements that there is no need for additional international financing this year.

According to Marchenko, in August, the Ministry of Defense identified an additional defense need of $27 billion. During meetings in Brussels, representatives of Ukraine, the Ministry of Defense, and the European Commission discussed possible sources to cover this amount.

 Ukraine plans to cover more than $7 billion with its own resources—through cost savings and the reallocation of budget expenditures. According to the minister, they expect to raise another $12 billion through joint efforts.

At the same time, the remaining funding needs remain unresolved. Marchenko noted that the European Commission will not be able to cover this portion in 2026 due to the lack of appropriate financial instruments.

The minister also emphasized that Ukraine’s budgetary and military funding must be considered separately.

Source: Serhiy Marchenko

Ukraine’s total defense budget deficit currently stands at €23 billion. Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara called on international partners to make the necessary financial decisions by November.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara discussed strengthening Ukraine’s air defense with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.