Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhii Kuretskyi said on Wednesday that his country’s total war needs would reach about $155 billion in 2026, as Kyiv works to close a $27 billion funding gap to ensure it can continue military operations during the first quarter of 2027.
Kyiv seeks to close funding gap
Kuretskyi said the Ukrainian government plans to raise $7 billion of this gap through strict austerity measures in public finances, alongside improved budget management and the reallocation of spending. He added that Kyiv is holding talks with its international partners to secure $20 billion, representing the remainder of the gap.
The estimate of total needs, amounting to $155 billion, includes war-related allocations listed in the 2026 budget, as well as the value of military aid provided by Ukraine’s partners in the form of weapons and equipment, rather than limiting the calculation to cash. The in-kind aid included in the estimate comprises missiles, air-defence systems and other military equipment.
The announced figure therefore combines the costs borne by the Ukrainian budget with the value of external military support provided to Kyiv during the year. Kuretskyi stressed that the $27 billion funding gap forms part of the estimated total needs and that the government will cover the amount falling to its responsibility by reprioritising public spending.
Spending cuts to provide $7 billion
The planned measures include postponing funding for some road projects and cultural programmes, as well as new projects linked to resilience plans. Kyiv is seeking to obtain the remaining $20 billion through negotiations with international partners.
The Ukrainian government has linked the success of these talks to its ability to fund the continuation of military operations during the first three months of 2027. The announcement marks the first time Kyiv has disclosed an annual estimate of total war needs. No comparable figures are available for 2025 to allow a direct comparison between the needs of the two years.
The estimates were disclosed as Ukraine prepares its 2027 budget, in which spending on security and defence remains a key item, while Kyiv continues to rely on external support to cover part of its war needs.
