Crisis: Ukraine's Revenues Do Not Cover Defense Expenditures

In the first eight months of 2026, approximately 1.8 trillion UAH was allocated for defense, while domestic revenues amounted to about 1.7 trillion UAH. This means that internal revenues are insufficient to finance the defense expenditures already incurred. The defense forces have voiced an additional need of around 27 billion dollars. Roksolana Pidlasa, head of the budget committee of the Verkhovna Rada, noted that the budget deficit increases financial pressure on the state and makes international assistance critically important. Ukraine plans to cover the financial gap through international partners, expecting 50.4 billion dollars in external financing in 2026. So far, Ukraine has already received 20.9 billion dollars, with another 29.5 billion dollars confirmed but not yet received. Pidlasa emphasized the importance of timely budget decisions for the financial stability of the country. Without these decisions, significant cuts in expenditures are expected, which could affect military and humanitarian spending. Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko warned of possible delays in salaries in the public sector due to reduced inflows to the single treasury account. Ukraine has also asked allies for additional funding of about 27 billion dollars for defense needs, but the European Union is demanding explanations regarding the deficit.