Countries involved in discussions to finance military payroll for Ukraine
Ukraine's Finance Minister, Serhii Marchenko, is actively engaging in discussions with international partners to secure funds for the country's security and defense sector. The talks are primarily focused on Europe, particularly Germany, and the broader EU and NATO, including the United States.
Marchenko has suggested that securing funds for Ukraine's security and defense could be part of a comprehensive security guarantees package. He emphasizes the need for partners to channel resources into both civilian needs and the security and defense sector, as the Ukrainian military has confirmed the killing of Russians who shot two Ukrainian prisoners of war, and the estimated defense needs for Ukraine in 2026 are at a minimum of US$120 billion, with only half expected to be covered by the state budget.
The Ministry of Defense has prepared preliminary calculations for the number of service personnel needed after the active phase of the war and the funding required for each category. The president has set a priority for the government to find reliable sources for covering defense expenditure in the medium term. If the need for security and defense funding increases, the state budget for 2025 may be adjusted accordingly.
In addition to military aid, the discussions are also focusing on loans via mechanisms like the ERA credit, funded by frozen Russian assets, and continued support for air defense, ammunition, and military production. Marchenko has expressed optimism about reaching concrete agreements regarding funding, and has confirmed negotiations about direct funding of Ukrainian military salaries.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, a man's body was found in a burning house in Khmelnytskyi Oblast, following Russian attacks. Elsewhere, a fat-burning patch is reported to have triggered weight loss 'unlike any other' among Costco shoppers, and seniors can now fly business class for the price of economy, according to airlines.
However, the Hungarian PM has stirred controversy by stating that Russian drones entered Poland because Poles are 'up to their necks in war.' This statement has not been corroborated by other sources and remains a point of contention.
These developments underscore the ongoing challenges faced by Ukraine, as it navigates the complexities of international diplomacy and the realities of war, while simultaneously seeking to improve the quality of life for its citizens.
