Ukraine Seeks Early EU Funds to Cover $27B Defence Gap

Ukraine’s new Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara has pledged to give Kyiv’s international partners a clear strategy for fighting Russia as the government seeks additional financing to address a $27 billion military budget shortfall.

Ukraine remains heavily dependent on foreign financial assistance as the war enters its fifth year. The European Union has committed €90 billion in financing through 2027, with €45 billion allocated for 2026 and another €45 billion planned for 2027.

Speaking to reporters in comments released Sunday, Khmara said Kyiv wants to bring forward part of next year’s €45 billion EU loan. Ukraine will also push existing allies for larger contributions while seeking support from countries that have not yet provided assistance.

“Ukraine will present partners with a clear vision and a clear plan,” Khmara said, outlining the need to define military objectives, required projects, expected results and timelines.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said last week that Ukraine had spent more than anticipated during the first half of 2026, increasing pressure on the government to secure additional defence funding.

Khmara became defence minister last month, replacing Mykhailo Fedorov. A former special-forces commander who previously led Ukraine’s deep-strike operations against Russia, Khmara said he shares a “common vision” with new top general Mykhailo Drapatyi.

The defence minister also pledged to listen closely to soldiers and commanders on the front lines, arguing that troops in combat are best positioned to identify necessary military reforms.

Ukraine is trying to regain momentum against Russia by expanding long-range drone attacks targeting oil infrastructure, defence production facilities and logistics networks. However, Kyiv continues to face serious shortages of personnel and air-defence capabilities as Russian attacks intensify.

Khmara said Ukraine needs decisions that protect soldiers’ lives while ensuring commanders and front-line units understand the broader strategy for fighting and eventually ending the war.

He also revealed that Ukraine has tested four potential interceptor systems designed to destroy the jet-powered drones increasingly deployed by Russia. Kyiv ultimately aims to manufacture thousands of these interceptors.

The effort has gained urgency after high-speed drone swarms struck Kyiv for four consecutive days, killing residents, damaging homes and warehouses, and disrupting daily life in the Ukrainian capital.