Archive · 30 Aug 2026
Ukraine’s Defence Chief Seeks Early EU Loan Amid War Gap
Ukraine says it does not have enough money to pay for its military needs during the war with Russia.
Its new defence minister wants to receive some European Union money earlier than planned.
He also wants Ukraine to explain more clearly what it plans to do in the war.
Ukraine is asking current allies for more help and new countries to contribute.
The country is short of soldiers and air-defense systems.
Russia has been attacking Ukraine with drones, including near Kyiv.
Ukraine has also used drones to attack an oil refinery in Russia.
Russia says it is preparing large attacks on Ukraine’s energy facilities in response.
Ukraine says it is testing new systems to stop fast drones.
Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara said Ukraine faces a $27 billion military budget shortfall.
Kyiv plans to request early access to part of the EU’s planned €45 billion loan for next year.
Khmara promised allies a clearer war strategy, including goals, projects, results and timelines.
Ukraine is seeking more support while facing shortages of troops and air defenses.
Russia said it was preparing major strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure after Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy sites.
- Who
- Ukraine’s Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara, the Ukrainian government, Ukraine’s allies and Russia.
- What
- Ukraine is seeking early access to EU financing to address a $27 billion military budget gap and is presenting allies with a clearer war plan.
- When
- Khmara’s comments were released on Sunday; he became defence minister last month, as the war entered its fifth year.
- Where
- The funding request concerns Ukraine and the European Union; fighting and strikes have affected Kyiv, other Ukrainian areas and northwestern Russia.
- Why
- Ukraine says it faces rising military costs, shortages of manpower and air defenses, while Russia and Ukraine are exchanging attacks on energy and military-related infrastructure.
Ukraine’s Position
Russia’s Position
Cross-border strikes and retaliation
Ukraine’s Position
Ukraine is conducting strikes against Russian oil infrastructure, defense manufacturing and logistics, and says it needs stronger defenses against Russian attacks.
Russia’s Position
Russia’s Defense Ministry said it was preparing massive strikes on Ukraine’s energy sector in response to what it called Ukrainian attacks on civilian infrastructure and Russia’s oil and energy complex.
- Military budget shortfall
- $27 billion
- Planned EU financing for next year
- €45 billion
- EU financing commitment through 2027
- €90 billion
- Ukraine’s funding request
- Early access to part of the planned EU financing
- Ukraine’s military challenges
- Shortages of manpower and air defenses
- Ukraine’s drone-defense effort
- Four potential interceptors have been tested against jet-powered drones
- Recent reported attacks
- Russian drone attacks damaged Ukrainian sites and caused deaths; a Ukrainian drone attack caused a fire at an oil refinery in northwestern Russia