According to him, if there is no, in particular, a reparation loan from Western US assets, a decrease in Ukrainian defense capabilities in terms of UAVs will occur at the beginning of 2026.
“If in the spring Ukraine does not receive the corresponding tranche, which in case of peace will be used to restore our state, and if the war continues, Ukraine will use this money for other priorities (primarily for the production of drones) – if this tranche does not arrive, then Ukraine’s UAV production will be significantly reduced,” the head of state said.
At the same briefing, Zelensky warned that Ukraine’s state budget deficit in 2026 could reach €45-50 billion. He noted that this level of budget deficit is “definite”, and could be higher. Such a lack of funds is “not only about the front, it is, in principle, about Ukraine’s ability to fight,” the president added.
Context
Today a summit of EU countries began in Brussels, which will consider a mechanism for transferring frozen foreign assets of the aggressor country Russia to support and restore Ukraine, including in the form of a reparation loan.
