
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said today that Ukraine expects the European Union to provide 30 billion euros to finance the country's defense in the fight against Russian invasion.
Speaking to reporters, Zelensky said these funds are needed for "the protection of the entire country."
According to him, Ukraine currently faces a $27 billion shortfall in its defense budget.
About $20 billion is needed for soldiers' pay, as well as compensation for the families of killed soldiers and other war-related expenses.
A significant portion of the additional funds would be used for the production of drones, which have become one of the key elements of Ukrainian defense and modern warfare on the front.
"A significant amount of money is needed. I am working on this issue with the French and the Germans," Zelensky said.
The Ukrainian president also spoke about the situation on the ground.
He claimed that Ukrainian forces have recaptured 820 square kilometers of territory from Russian forces since the beginning of the year, including almost the entire Dnipropetrovsk region.
However, President Zelensky acknowledged that Russia has also made advances during the same period, taking control of about another 990 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory.
Zelensky said he expects Ukraine to regain additional territories by the end of the year.
Figures on territorial changes could not be independently verified.