The head of the Budget Committee of the Verkhovna Rada, Roksolana Pidlasa, reported that after amendments to Ukraine’s state budget this year, its planned deficit will amount to $42 billion. According to her, there are currently no grounds to believe that the deficit will decrease in 2025. Therefore, the need for external financing will remain significant, estimated at $40 billion for the next year.
This is reported by Finway
Funding forecasts for 2026
Pidlasa clarified that part of this amount will be covered by so-called non-repayable loans from G7 countries (ERA loans), as well as assistance from the European Union under the Ukraine Facility program and the International Monetary Fund. However, even taking these sources into account, there will still be an uncovered deficit of external financing of $19 billion in 2026.
“Part of this need will be covered by so-called non-repayable loans from G7 countries (ERA loans), and partially by EU assistance under the Ukraine Facility and the IMF. At the same time, there remains an uncovered need for external financing for 2026 – $19 billion,” she noted.
Defense spending remains a priority
According to Pidlasa, in 2025, Ukraine will allocate no less than 66% of the state budget to meet the needs of the defense sector. She also emphasized that the search for additional financial resources should not be solely the responsibility of the Ukrainian government and the European Commission. Pidlasa sees opportunities for expanding cooperation with the International Monetary Fund, following the example of other countries.
She stressed that even if active hostilities cease by the end of the current year, defense expenditures will remain significant for several more years. In addition, there will be substantial costs for the reconstruction of the country after the war.