Reserves will last only until June: Ukraine risks running out of defense funds
Фото: 148 окрема артилерійська бригада
Ukraine could run out of defense funding within two months amid delays in international aid. Available resources will only last until June.
This is reported by Bloomberg .
According to sources, both Ukrainian and international officials, the financing of Ukraine’s defense spending has been threatened by a number of factors that affect the amount of external support.
In particular, delays in providing financial assistance from key partners have a significant impact, which limits the state’s ability to meet expenses in wartime.
The Chairman of the National Bank of Ukraine, Andriy Pyshny, noted that in the absence of international financing, the regulator may return to the practice of direct lending to the Ministry of Finance.
“In the worst case, we will have to restore direct budget financing to pay salaries to military personnel and workers and provide basic services,” Andriy Pyshny said.
Among the reasons for the complication of the situation are also cited Hungary’s blocking of a 90 billion euro European Union aid package, disputes over the new International Monetary Fund program, and the slowdown of initiatives within NATO.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that the lack of funding could affect the country’s defense capabilities, in particular the production of drones and the procurement of air defense systems.
“The army may face underfunding,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
At the same time, the European Commission assured that financial assistance will be provided to Ukraine.
“The European Union will provide these funds one way or another,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
According to estimates by the Ukrainian authorities, in 2026 the country needs $52 billion in foreign aid to cover budget needs.
It was previously reported that Ukraine expects to receive funding from the European Union in the first weeks of April , despite the position of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
As is known, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is ready to unblock an EU loan for Ukraine of 90 billion euros if the European Commission approves Budapest’s application for a defense loan of 16 billion euros under the SAFE instrument.
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