Zelenskyy warns $27B funding gap could leave Ukraine short of weapons

KYIV — Ukraine needs to secure $27 billion to plug a hole in its defense budget in the next two months or risk being unable to buy weapons early next year, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters in a WhatsApp chat Friday. “Most of this money is for our drones, missiles, and supplies for our warriors. About a third of this money, perhaps even a little more, is for drones for January, February, and March. And if we do not order and pay for them in October and November, we will face serious challenges in January and February,” Zelenskyy said. The president added that covering the deficit was a top topic of his negotiations with European partners: “I am urging the European Commission to provide the second tranche of the €90 billion [loan] sooner.