Ukraine seeks $6 billion from allies to bridge 2025 defence budget gap

Ukraine’s Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal, speaking at a meeting of the Ramstein-format defence contact group, appealed for $6 billion to close the 2025 budget gap for weapons procurement.

“Ukraine needs $6 billion to cover this year’s shortfall in weapons purchases,” Caliber.Az quotes Shmyhal as saying, per foreign media.

He explained that the funds would enable the production of more drones to hold the frontline, as well as interceptor drones to counter Russian unmanned aerial vehicles.

Shmyhal also urged European countries to procure Patriot missiles, which the United States is expected to supply to Kyiv.

Additionally, he called on Western partners to prepare to allocate funds in their 2026 budgets to support Ukraine’s defence needs.

Russia believes that arms supplies to Ukraine hinder conflict resolution, directly involve NATO countries in the fighting, and are a "dangerous game."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stated that any shipments containing weapons for Ukraine will be considered legitimate targets by Russia.

The Kremlin has declared that the West’s arming of Ukraine does not aid negotiations and will have adverse consequences.

By Aghakazim Guliyev