Zelenskyy urges EU to release part of 2027 loan early for Ukrainian army

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on European countries to release part of a loan planned for 2027 ahead of schedule to help cover the country’s budget shortfall and provide the military with weapons.

According to the Ukrainian president’s office, the overall funding gap stands at $27 billion, Caliber.Az reports, citing Ukrainian media.

Zelenskyy said in a statement that one way to address it would be to bring forward part of the European loan planned for next year.

“In particular, around €10 billion is needed to provide our military with weapons in January and February that are already being produced, including in Europe,” the statement noted.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov