Ukraine faces $20 billion funding gap, PM says

Ukraine risks facing a $20 billion funding gap if it fails to meet European partners’ “conditions” by Oct. 15, Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi said.

Ukraine currently faces a $27 billion shortfall, of which the government plans to cover $7 billion through spending cuts and the redistribution of expenditures. The remaining $20 billion is expected to come from international partners, the prime minister said.

According to Koretskyi, the additional $20 billion will be critical to Ukraine’s ability to maintain active military operations during the first quarter of 2027. The funds are also needed, among other things, to finance the production of long-range weapons.

The overall cost of the war for Ukraine in 2026 is estimated at $155 billion.

Koretskyi said the Cabinet of Ministers is currently working to adopt the necessary decisions on an accelerated schedule, while the Verkhovna Rada must approve the relevant bills in time.

To facilitate the process, the Ukrainian parliament is expected to designate Oct. 12 as an additional plenary session day.

By Tamilla Hasanova