Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine will need approximately $128 billion in 2027 to meet its financial and defense requirements, renewing pressure on Western allies to help cover the country's escalating costs as the war with Russia continues.

Zelenskyy outlined the figure in an interview with Alla Mazur for the Ukrainian television program TSN. Week, published October 25. He said the total includes approximately $77.9 billion in additional funding and another $50.1 billion that has already been allocated but still needs to be secured and delivered. The figures are converted from the original €115 billion estimate using an approximate exchange rate of €1 to $1.1133.

The funding request comes as Ukraine seeks to sustain its military operations, expand domestic weapons production, and maintain essential government functions. Zelenskyy has argued that additional resources are necessary to strengthen the country's defenses against Russian attacks, including by increasing production of drones used to disrupt Russian supply lines and target advancing forces.

European governments are already confronting a significant shortfall in the funding needed to support Kyiv. The European Union has planned approximately $50.1 billion in assistance for Ukraine in 2027, but officials have acknowledged that additional financing will be necessary. EU leaders are expected to discuss ways to address the gap at a special summit scheduled for November 26-27. Potential options include additional borrowing and efforts to secure more contributions from international partners.

Zelenskyy's appeal also comes as diplomatic discussions continue over possible terms for ending the war. In the same interview, he rejected proposals to restrict the size of Ukraine's military or require the country to adopt neutral status as part of a potential peace agreement. He also said Ukraine would not agree to exchange territory, arguing that any territorial questions must be addressed directly by national leaders.

The scale of the request underscores the financial burden facing Ukraine and the challenge for Western governments as they weigh continued assistance. Kyiv's ability to meet its projected needs will depend on whether existing commitments are delivered and whether European and other international partners agree to provide additional funding for 2027.