Budget deficit jeopardizes winter preparations, MP warns

Ukrainian MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak has warned that a budget deficit is jeopardizing winter preparations, particularly for protective shelters around key energy infrastructure facilities. Speaking at the Carpathian Eight summit in Bukovel on Sept. 21, Zhelezniak stated that the construction of these shelters is being delayed due to a lack of funding, with preparations for winter being postponed until the middle of winter.

He expressed concern over the stability in Kyiv and the potential disruption to winter preparations due to the forum distractions. Zhelezniak highlighted that Ukraine has not received timely funding from international partners, as the Ukrainian parliament failed to pass agreed upon legislation, including anti-corruption laws, with the European Union.

In the first half of 2026, when the budget shortfall was already known, authorities allocated UAH60 billion to "completely irrelevant populism," which he claimed did not benefit the economy, public, or President Zelenskyy's approval rating. Now, funding for capital expenditures is halted, meaning the first ballistic missile could destroy the infrastructure "while it is still under construction," leading to less electricity and a smaller economy.

This cycle of problems could continue if necessary legislation is not passed. Prime Minister Sergii Koretskyi had previously warned that Ukraine's public finances were nearing a critical point, with delays in passing bills potentially jeopardizing $29.5 billion in international assistance. European Commissioners Valdis Dombrovskis and Marta Kos had sent a letter to the Verkhovna Rada, outlining the bills Ukraine must pass to receive already approved EU funding, in response to Ukraine's request for an additional $27 billion for defense.