Ukraine will ask its allies for $20 billion for air defence systems, drones and long-range strikes
This is reported by Politico, citing a Ukrainian defence official and sources familiar with the negotiations.
Ukraine plans to ask its allies for an additional $20 billion in military aid. According to Politico, Kyiv wants to use these funds to consolidate its temporary advantage on the battlefield and intensify strikes on military targets in Russia.
According to the publication, the request is to be presented on 18 June at the next meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in the ‘Ramstein’ format.
How much money will Ukraine be asking for?
The Ukrainian side wants to secure an additional $20 billion. According to Politico, allies may be asked to contribute between $2 billion and $6 billion each.
This involves both grants and loans. According to sources, this issue has already been raised during discussions with representatives from Norway, Sweden, Germany and Canada.
What the funds could be used for
If the funding is approved, Ukraine plans to allocate it to air defence, drones, ammunition, electronic warfare equipment and long-range weapons.
Part of the funds may also be used for direct purchases from Ukrainian defence companies and to increase contributions under the Priority Requirements List (PURL). This mechanism allows allies to purchase American weapons for Ukraine.
Why Kyiv is asking for additional aid
A Ukrainian official told Politico that Russia is adapting quickly to new technologies, so the “window of opportunity” could close.
According to him, if Russia is given time to adapt, Ukraine may lose the chance to end the war through genuine negotiations. He also warned that the emergence of Russia’s own medium-range strike drones could pose a serious threat to Ukraine.
What is the current level of support
According to Politico, partners have already committed to providing Ukraine with $38 billion in military aid this year.
An additional $20 billion would bring Ukraine closer to the $60 billion target for bilateral aid previously set by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
What is known about the defence budget
Politico reports that the additional funding is expected to exceed Ukraine’s defence budget for this year. According to the publication, it stands at 4.4 trillion hryvnia, or around $98 billion.
At the same time, Ukraine, according to Politico, spends around 40% of its GDP on defence – the highest figure in the world.
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