A significant deficit of funds for defense needs has been identified in the state budget of Ukraine for 2025. According to Yaroslav Zheleznyak, a member of parliament from the Holos faction, the deficit is at least 200 billion hryvnias.
According to the parliamentarian, it became clear from the beginning of the year that the planned expenditures for the Armed Forces of Ukraine would not cover the real needs of the front. As of May, this problem had already surfaced.
"This year (as in 2024 and 2023) the Budget lacks money for the army. As of mid-May, it is already obvious that the planned expenditures for the army are not enough. Somewhere now - by 200 billion UAH," the deputy wrote in his Telegram channel.
Zheleznyak added that the Cabinet of Ministers is already working on changes to the state budget that will provide for an increase in defense spending. According to his estimates, this could amount to up to 250 billion hryvnias.
"The Council will vote on them. So far, I wouldn't be committing treason here — all military payments have been and will be going according to plan. The government is still making "approximations," the people's deputy reassured.
However, he warned that Ukrainians face another political confrontation over the adoption of changes to the country's main financial document.
“It is obvious that they will have to change the budget. Therefore… soon we will face another epic called: ‘vote for changes to the Budget so that the army has money,’” Zheleznyak concluded.
Recall that in previous years, the state budget of Ukraine was also repeatedly adjusted due to increased defense spending. In 2024, the total amount of military spending was increased by more than UAH 300 billion in the first six months alone.
The financing of the army today critically depends not only on domestic reserves, but also on international support, in particular from the EU, the US and Japan. Delays in the receipt of external funds often create cash gaps that have to be quickly covered through changes to the state budget.
