Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that he may be forced to implement "difficult and unpopular" policies to address a 23 billion euro funding gap, largely caused by the country's ongoing military spending in its war with Russia. Zelensky mentioned that seven legislative proposals are being considered, though he did not detail their specific content. He emphasized that while some of these measures may be challenging or unappealing to the public, they are essential to fund Ukraine’s state budget and ensure national security. Ukraine has become increasingly dependent on financial support from Western allies to sustain its war efforts and cover other national expenses. However, the country is currently facing a worsening economic situation. The escalation of long-range attacks between Ukraine and Russia has forced the early use of funds originally scheduled for the second half of 2026, creating a significant budget shortfall. The European Union has shown hesitation in filling this gap, despite previous commitments. The war has had a severe impact on Ukraine’s economy, particularly in key sectors like metallurgy and agricultural exports, which are vital to the country’s economic stability. Roksolana Pidlassa, president of the budget committee in the Ukrainian Parliament, stated that each day of conflict costs Ukraine around 165 million euros, a sum the country cannot cover on its own. Zelensky has repeatedly urged European leaders to provide more financial support, emphasizing that Ukraine needs significantly more funding to continue the fight and maintain essential services. In August, Zelensky told European leaders gathered in Kiev that Ukraine “needs more money, much more.” Earlier, in late 2025, European nations had agreed to provide a 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine for the years 2026 and 2027 to help cover the budget deficit, military needs, and civilian support. Since 2022, Ukraine has received over 230 billion euros from European countries and 115 billion euros from the United States, with an additional 160 billion euros expected in the future, according to estimates from the German Institute Kiel.