Ukraine's defence minister urges EU not to wait until 2027 and provide Ukraine with defence funding this autumn

Ukraine's Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara has called on EU member states to provide Ukraine with defence funding from an EU loan this autumn, rather than waiting until 2027 as planned.

Source: Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

Quote from Khmara: "The funds are needed this autumn to give manufacturers enough time to purchase components and produce drones on time. This is especially important given the mobilisation that the enemy is already planning."

Details: Khmara stressed that Ukraine has a number of priority needs to strengthen its defence capabilities.

In particular, around one-third of Ukraine's additional defence funding requirements amounting to US$27 billion is attributable to advance payments for drones due to be delivered in early 2027.

The minister therefore called for the disbursement of funds from the EU loan to be brought forward from 2027 to this autumn, for the remaining funds under the SAFE programme to be used for Ukraine's procurement needs and for additional funding to be provided as part of bilateral assistance.

Khmara also said that Ukraine is looking for affordable and effective solutions to counter jet-powered Shahed drones. He added that such targets are already being shot down, in particular by interceptor missiles.

The minister therefore called on the EU to help fund this area so that interceptors could be delivered to the defence forces in sufficient quantities as soon as possible.

He also stressed to partners the importance of providing Ukraine with air-to-air missiles, man-portable air-defence systems and ammunition for F-16s.

As for countering ballistic missiles, Ukraine's request remains unchanged, Khmara said. The defence minister called on EU member states to transfer some missiles from their own stocks in exchange for those Ukraine is due to receive later under existing contracts.

Background:

• On 14 September, Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi said that the situation with public finances was close to critical due to Ukraine's failure to meet some of its commitments to partners on time. In particular, the country risks losing a significant portion of the US$29.5 billion in planned international funding.
• On 27 September, Koretskyi said that delays in some international aid had resulted in a US$27 billion shortfall in the country's defence budget.
• The government plans to secure around US$7 billion through strict austerity measures in public finances, including expenditure optimisation and the reallocation of funds.
• Ukraine is working with partners to find mechanisms and sources to cover the remaining US$20 billion shortfall. Koretskyi pledged to implement all government decisions necessary to secure international financial assistance by 15 October.
• On 28 September, the Cabinet of Ministers decided to postpone budget funding for non-critical expenditure on building, major repairs, urban improvements and other areas due to a lack of funds. From October onwards, the State Treasury Service of Ukraine will draw up a daily forecast of cash flows in the single treasury account and the financial resources available for each ten-day period.
• If there are insufficient funds to cover all planned monthly expenditure, the Treasury will make payments in order of priority. The government has designated defence and national security, the servicing of state and local debt, pensions, salaries, social benefits and assistance as priorities.

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