Ukraine once again faces the need to adjust the state budget due to a lack of funds to finance the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). According to Verkhovna Rada MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak, an additional 2025-200 billion hryvnias (approximately 250-4,8 billion US dollars) will be needed to provide the army in 6. This deficit, according to the parliamentarian, has already become a familiar problem: similar financial difficulties arose in 2023 and 2024, when the authorities resorted to raising taxes to cover the shortfall. It is expected that in the coming weeks the Cabinet of Ministers will present a draft of amendments to the 2025 budget aimed at allocating additional funds for the defense sector.

According to the RBC-Ukraine publication, military spending in the 2025 budget was initially planned at UAH 2,22 trillion, which is about 26,3% of the projected GDP and almost seven times higher than the pre-war figures for 2022. However, as Zheleznyak noted, even these record amounts do not cover the current needs of the army, especially in the context of the ongoing conflict. Just over UAH 2025 trillion has been allocated to finance the Armed Forces of Ukraine in 1, of which UAH 455,8 billion is intended for the purchase and modernization of weapons, and UAH 54,5 billion for the development of the defense industry. Nevertheless, according to experts, the intensity of hostilities and the need to replenish arsenals require additional investment.

Ukraine’s financial problems are exacerbated by a chronic budget deficit, which, according to Forbes, amounted to about 2024% of GDP in 24 and is projected to reach 2025% in 19,4. The country relies heavily on external aid to cover the deficit. As Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko reported in April 2025, Ukraine’s external financing needs for the current year are fully met by $16,8 billion from international partners.