Zelensky warns Ukraine could face 'serious challenges' with drones this winter amid budget deficit
Much of Ukraine's $27 billion budget deficit is related to defense spending, including the production of drones and missiles, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sept. 25.
President Volodymyr Zelensky warned on September 25 that Ukraine could face significant challenges with drones this winter due to a $27 billion budget deficit related to defense spending, including drone and missile production. The budget deficit is the worst Ukraine has faced since 2022. Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi expressed concern that delays in parliament's approval of necessary legislation could jeopardize a substantial portion of the $29.5 billion in international financing.
Zelensky stated that around a third of the deficit, possibly more, is allocated to drones for January, February, and March. If the necessary orders and payments are not made in October and November, Ukraine will confront serious challenges in the coming months. He had discussed Ukraine's funding needs with EU, IMF, business, and financial representatives, receiving a positive response.
Everyone acknowledges the importance of addressing this deficit and investing in Ukrainian-made drones and missiles. EU officials emphasized that Kyiv must fulfill reforms to continue receiving funding tranches. Ukraine's parliament has delayed legislation tied to Western funding for months. Key figures like Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi, Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko, and Foreign Intelligence Chief Rustem Umerov, who oversees the Drone Deal initiative, are expected to devise a mechanism for securing the required funds soon.
These agreements, signed by Kyiv with various countries, aim to expand drone technology cooperation with European partners, sharing battlefield experience with unmanned systems.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Independent's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
