Zelenskyy appeals to allies: Ukraine needs $30bn to produce weapons and drones

The military is testing a drone «Vampire» in Ukraine, photo: Getty Images

Zelenskyy calls on Western partners to provide $30 billion to develop military production

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on Western allies to provide about $30 billion by the end of 2025 to expand domestic arms production and effectively deter Russia's offensive.

Bloomberg reports citing the President's statement during a press conference in Kyiv on 21 May.

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«We are not yet working at full capacity», Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, clarifying that he was referring to «an indicative estimate» of financial needs to achieve Ukraine's military goals.

The President stressed that the Ukrainian government is focusing on domestic arms production efforts as international aid is declining and Russia's activity at the front, including massive missile and drone attacks, is increasing.

Zelenskyy mentioned frozen Russian assets as a possible source of funding. According to him, Kyiv plans to call on the Group of Seven (G7) countries to speed up the decision to use the proceeds of these assets. Last year, the G7 proposed a €50 billion loan package that could be secured by the proceeds of about $300 billion in frozen Russian funds.

«These are the assets of the country that brought the war to our land. I believe there are many tools to finance the Ukrainian war effort», Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also outlined operational needs: in particular, an increase in daily drone strikes on targets in Russia from the current 100 to 300-500, as well as an increase in the fleet of drones to 1,000 units.

«The problem is not in production capacity, but in financing», the head of state concluded.

As a reminder, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Western sanctions would become noticeable for the Russian economy from the beginning of summer 2026.