In a meeting with journalists, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky outlined two key challenges the country is currently facing: ballistic capabilities and the financial provision of defense. In his words, it is precisely these two areas that require immediate and coordinated resolution at the level of the state and international partners.

Two Global Problems and the Role of Parliament

Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine is expecting 30 billion euros in European funds, which, according to him, are tied to the adoption of the corresponding legislation. "It is very important here that the parliament works — the entire parliament, including the opposition. Because these 30 billion are not in the hands of either the authorities or the opposition; they are needed for the defense of the entire country," the head of state stated. Thus, he framed the issue of defense funding as going beyond internal political struggle, presenting it as a national task.

Defense Ministry Budget Deficit and Reallocation of Funds

According to figures cited by the president, the budget deficit of Ukraine's Ministry of Defense amounts to 27 billion dollars. Zelensky explained that at the beginning of the year, decisions were made to use funds that were effectively earmarked for the second half of the year already in the first half — these resources, in his words, went toward drone production and other needs. Now, in the second half of the year, it is necessary to compensate for this reallocation and additionally attract funds.

The president broke down the structure of needs: 8–10 billion are needed for a "normal start" to the following year, because these funds are effectively required in advance — to ensure weapons and everything necessary by January 2027. A further nearly 20 billion, by his estimate, covers military salaries, payments to the families of the fallen, and other areas of financing.

Work with European Partners

Zelensky reported that on the issue of defense funding he is working with the leaders of France and Germany. "Effectively, we need to bring forward the second part of the European funds that were allocated for Ukraine, and this is a very difficult task," he added, pointing to the need to accelerate the provision of the second tranche of European funds.

Contradictory Data

The president's statements and the figures he cited in the meeting contain several inconsistencies that should be taken into account. First, the expected 30 billion euros in European funds and the stated Ministry of Defense budget deficit of 27 billion dollars are different indicators in different currencies, and in the text of the speech they are not brought to a common base. Second, the sum of the components Zelensky listed separately (8–10 billion for the start of the following year plus nearly 20 billion for salaries and payments) totals roughly 28–30 billion, which exceeds the mentioned overall deficit of 27 billion dollars. Finally, all these figures are statements by the head of state and are not confirmed by an independent budget audit at the time of publication.

Context: EU Tranches and the IMF Program

The financial flows accompanying these statements provide a fuller picture. Recently, Ukraine received another tranche from the European Union of 3.47 billion euros, which is directed toward defense and the state's most critical needs. On July 21, 2026, the IMF's Board of Directors approved the first review of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program: the state budget was replenished by 690 million dollars, and the total volume of funds under the EFF program reached 2.2 billion dollars. On July 24, 2026, it was announced that the IMF had eased some of the terms of cooperation with Ukraine, but at the same time tightened its requirements for reforms.