Ukraine’s 2026 budget is short of $10 billion

Ukraine has not yet found funds to cover a $10 billion budget gap for next year.

This was reported by the head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Finance, Tax, and Customs Policy, Danylo Hetmantsev.

“For next year, there are different forecasts. The National Bank gave a forecast with a need for external financing of $35 billion. For 2027 — $30 billion. The Cabinet of Ministers estimates the need for 2026 at $45 billion. Of this, according to the Ministry of Finance, taking into account carryover balances, $35 billion will be covered. In other words, so far $10 billion is lacking for next year. This is very big money, a very big and main problem of next year’s budget,” the MP said.

According to the parliamentarian, Kyiv is currently looking for sources to finance these expenditures.

“We already have statements from Germany about nine billion euros annually, from the Norwegian prime minister — about more than eight billion dollars. Negotiations are underway with the IMF about a possible new program. The process is ongoing, and both we and the Europeans are looking for those sources with which this difference will be covered. It cannot be said that the situation is hopeless. It is tense, but it has been tense for a long time,” Hetmantsev added.

It should be recalled that this year’s budget also has a deficit of about 300 billion hryvnias for military expenditures.

Earlier, Hetmantsev said that Ukraine receives financing for the civilian sector on loan terms.

It should be recalled that the Verkhovna Rada adopted a draft law on amendments to Ukraine’s state budget in the amount of 40 billion.