Zelensky: Ukraine needs $27 billion in two months to avoid running out of drones

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KYIV — Ukraine needs to secure $27 billion to plug a hole in its defense budget in the next two months or risk being unable to buy weapons early next year, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters in a WhatsApp chat Friday.

“Most of this money is for our drones, missiles, and supplies for our warriors. About a third of this money, perhaps even a little more, is for drones for January, February, and March. And if we do not order and pay for them in October and November, we will face serious challenges in January and February,” Zelenskyy said.

The president added that covering the deficit was a top topic of his negotiations with European partners: “I am urging the European Commission to provide the second tranche of the €90 billion [loan] sooner. Because, once again, we must have the necessary drones and missiles for January and February.”

Ukraine first announced the budget gap in August. It emerged after Ukraine had to bring forward state defense spending originally planned for the second half of the year, as Hungary delayed the EU’s €90 billion loan to Kyiv. Purchases made included “fiber-optic drones, middle-strike drones, interceptors,” former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov told POLITICO in June.

The shortfall remains despite €30 billion in funding Europe has already pledged to Ukraine this year as part of the €90 billion loan.

Zelenskyy said he received a positive and constructive response from the EU during his diplomatic talks this week.

“Everyone understands that covering this deficit is very important. Everyone understands that Ukraine cannot be left on its own and that more must be invested in Ukrainian-made drones and missiles, because most of this deficit is precisely the funding needed for that,” Zelenskyy said.

EU member countries on Friday agreed on the terms for releasing €6.6 billion in European Peace Facility funds for Ukraine, the EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas said in a statement .

“€900 million are for the EU’s Military Assistance Mission for Ukraine. €1 billion will fund new joint procurement of equipment. And €4.7 billion will reimburse Member States, with some already saying they will channel their share to Ukraine,” Kallas said.