Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy plans to ask European countries to help pay better salaries to Ukrainian soldiers fighting against Russia. His goal is to encourage more people to join the army as the war continues into its fourth year.
“Before, Europe helped us with weapons but not with soldiers’ salaries,” Zelenskiy said in Kyiv on Thursday. “But our soldiers are just as important as weapons — they are the ones who protect us.”
Many Ukrainians are tired of the war, and fewer are willing to join the military. To solve this, the government wants to offer higher payments to volunteers who sign military contracts — similar to what Russia is doing. Russia gives big bonuses and high salaries to attract thousands of new soldiers every month.
However, Ukraine’s budget is already under pressure. Last year, the country had a budget deficit over 20% of its total economy due to high military costs. Ukraine depends heavily on financial support from other countries. But so far, those countries have not agreed to help pay for soldiers’ salaries.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is giving Ukraine a $16 billion loan, but it wants the government to reduce its budget deficit. Even so, Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko said there are no plans to raise taxes. She added that global donors have promised only half of the $75 billion Ukraine needs for its budget over the next two years.
Zelenskiy also said Ukraine needs $25 billion every year to make drones, jamming tools, and missiles to fight back against Russia. This would raise the total budget deficit to $65 billion in 2025.
Talks are already happening with top leaders like European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, NATO’s new chief Mark Rutte, French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and US officials. “It’s a tough issue,” Zelenskiy admitted.
He visited a drone factory recently and said Ukraine needs $6 billion right away to speed up production. The goal is to produce at least 1,000 interceptor drones every day.
Zelenskiy also shared that the US has agreed to buy drones made in Ukraine. He’s pushing for a deal worth between $10 billion and $30 billion. Key officials, including Ukraine’s defense minister and national security team, are handling the negotiations.
On the battlefield, Zelenskiy said Ukrainian forces are doing better at stopping Russian advances. The situation in the Sumy region has improved, though Russia still wants to capture that area, along with Pokrovsk and parts of the Dnipropetrovsk region.
Finally, Zelenskiy mentioned some progress was made in the latest round of peace talks with Russia, held in Istanbul on Wednesday. But Russia says there’s no point in a leaders’ summit unless both sides agree on how to end the war.
