Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine has already spent budget funds on the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Ukraine has already spent the funds allocated in the state budget to finance the Armed Forces. According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, some of the funds earmarked for the second half of the year had to be used earlier than planned.

As a result, the Ministry of Defense currently has a budget deficit of about $27 billion.

“We currently have a budget deficit of $27 billion in the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. This is because at the beginning of the year, the ministry made decisions to use funds intended for the second half of the year in the first half, and this money went toward the production of drones and other needs,” Zelenskyy said. According to the president, these funds now need to be replenished, since defense expenditures were used earlier than planned. Of the total deficit, $8–10 billion is needed as early as the beginning of 2027—primarily for the procurement of weapons and other military supplies.

Another $20 billion or so is needed for military personnel salaries, payments to the families of the fallen, and other defense ministry expenditures. Zelenskyy noted that he is currently working with European partners to secure additional funding. Separately, the president identified defense funding as one of Ukraine’s two main challenges, alongside the ballistic missile threat. According to him, Kyiv is expecting €30 billion in European funds, which are to be allocated to defense once the necessary legislation is passed.

At the same time, Ukraine needs additional weapons to defend against Russian attacks. Zelenskyy stated that he would like to receive 300 Patriot interceptor missiles for the winter, while the Air Force’s request is for 360 missiles. The president noted that Ukraine is ready to purchase such munitions, counting in particular on a portion of U.S. stockpiles.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made this statement during a press conference.

Ukraine’s budget received over 11 billion hryvnia from the tax on Google.

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