---
title: "\"We have a challenge\": Zelensky makes a statement on the search for defense funds"
description: "President Zelensky confirmed a defense budget deficit of 16 billion dollars, outlining a plan to cover 4 billion in short-term needs and secure 12 billion in credit by the end of 2026."
date: 2026-10-04T15:56:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/zelensky-on-budget-deficit-16-billion
tags: [ukraine, zelensky, defense-budget, economy]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# "We have a challenge": Zelensky makes a statement on the search for defense funds

![President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky speaking to the press](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/04/zelenskiy-o-defitsite-byudzheta-16-mlrd/zelenskiy-o-defitsite-byudzheta-16-mlrd-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- Defense budget deficit reduced from 27 to 16 billion dollars.
- Sources identified for 3 out of 4 billion dollars of short-term needs.
- Political will of partners will enable the advancement of 12 billion dollars in credit.

As of October 4, 2026, the issue of financing Ukraine's defense sector remains a key priority for the state apparatus. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on the current defense budget deficit, which is estimated at 16 billion dollars. The Head of State emphasized that the government has managed to significantly optimize expenditures and attract additional support instruments, but the need for emergency funding remains urgent.

### Strategy for covering the deficit

. According to the data, the defense sector deficit was previously 27 billion dollars, but thanks to measures to save internal resources and a review of domestic expenditures, it was reduced to 20 billion. Now, the government's task is to close the remaining 16 billion. The President specified that the strategy for solving this problem relies on a multi-level approach, including bilateral agreements with partners and new arrangements with the European Union.### Contradictory data

There are differences in the assessment of the problem's severity. While the President's official statements focus on the technical resolution of advancing credit tranches, a number of sources, including a publication on novosti.ua, point to serious budget challenges at the beginning of 2027, particularly in January-February. Furthermore, various descriptors for the situation appear in the media, ranging from a "certain challenge" to a "cosmic deficit," as highlighted in some analytical reports.

### The Ministry of Finance's position and year-end plans

. Minister of Finance Serhiy Marchenko confirmed that the ministry is working on finding sources to cover the 4 billion dollars required in the short term. Of these, 3 billion already have identified funding sources, giving the government confidence in fulfilling its obligations by the end of 2026. The remaining 12 billion, according to Zelensky, will be covered by the political will of partners to accelerate the provision of credit funds planned for the next budget cycle.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- ["У нас есть некоторый челлендж": Зеленский сделал заявление о поиске денег на оборону](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/u-nas-e-deyakiy-chelendzh-zelenskiy-zrobiv-1791128979.html) - Основной источник цитат.
- [Зеленский заявил, что дефицит бюджета Украины будет закрыт до конца года](https://news.finance.ua/ru/zelenskyy-zayavyl-chto-defycyt-byudzheta-ukrayny-budet-zakryt-do-konca-hoda) - Подтверждение планов по закрытию дефицита.
- [Дефицит оборонного бюджета создаст вызовы на январь-февраль](https://novosti.ua/economic/zelenskiy-o-defitsite-byudzheta-sereznye-vyzovy-na-yanvar-i-fevral) - Альтернативная оценка сроков бюджетного кризиса.
- [Зеленский назвал дефицит оборонного бюджета "космическим" и заявил о поиске решений](https://gazeta.ua/ru/articles/politics/_zelenskij-nazval-deficit-oboronnogo-byudzheta-kosmicheskim-i-zayavil-o-poiske-reshenij/1258973) - Другие эпитеты, использованные в СМИ для описания ситуации.

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: What is the current defense budget deficit?
**A:** At present, according to the President, the deficit stands at 16 billion dollars.

### Q: Is there a plan to cover these funds?
**A:** Yes, the government plans to cover 4 billion in the short term using bilateral support and EU funds, and to secure 12 billion by accelerating credit tranches.