Zelensky: Ukraine Needs $65 Billion Annually to Continue the War

SadaNews - President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that his country requires over $65 billion in annual funding as it continues to fight against Russian forces.

The Ukrainian president told reporters, according to what was reported by the "Interfax Ukraine" agency last Friday evening, that "Ukraine has to deal with a deficit of $40 billion, while the production of Ukrainian drones currently requires an annual funding of $25 billion, which means that we actually need $65 billion to cover everything."

Zelensky clarified that, in addition to the costs of drone production, there are also expenses for missiles and electronic warfare equipment.

He mentioned that he discussed this issue with prominent Western supporters, including European Council President Antonio Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the United States, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Zelensky is also seeking to cover the salaries of Ukrainian soldiers from external sources, noting that "these soldiers are a crucial part of Ukraine's defense capability and contribute to ensuring the security of all of Europe," as he expressed.

It is worth mentioning that Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines receive a monthly salary equivalent to just over $2,800.

More than half of Ukraine's national budget is funded from external sources, amounting to about $41 billion annually. According to the Ministry of Finance in Kyiv, approximately $35 billion of foreign funding has already entered the country during this year.