Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that his country needs more than $65 billion a year to continue the fight against Russian forces, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
"Ukraine must cover a deficit of $40 billion. The production of drones requires an additional $25 billion a year. This makes a total of $65 billion. "...to provide funding for everything," the president told journalists, quoted by the Interfax-Ukraine news agency.
In addition to the costs of manufacturing drones, there is also a need for funds for missiles and electronic warfare equipment, he added.
Zelensky noted that he had discussed the issue with his main Western partners, including European Council President Antonio Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The president also stressed that he seeks to have the salaries of Ukrainian soldiers paid from abroad, explaining that the soldiers are a key part of Ukraine's defense capacity and play an important role in ensuring the security of all of Europe.
Frontline soldiers receive a salary of just over 2,400 euros gross per month.
More than half of Ukraine's national budget is financed from abroad - about $41 billion annually. According to the Ministry of Finance in Kiev, the country will receive the equivalent of about €30 billion in foreign funds this year.
Ukraine has a low-tax system, according to which a sole proprietor with a maximum turnover of €190,000 pays only 6% tax and minimal social security contributions, including military duty.