Zelensky: $5 Billion Monthly Shortage Due to War
The budget deficit in Ukraine has risen to 5 billion dollars (4.7 billion euros) per month as a result of the war against Russia. The country can only bear that burden with foreign financial aid, Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky said in his daily video message on Thursday evening.
Zelensky therefore thanked the United States for the extra military aid that the country is making available. The U.S. Senate on Thursday approved a $40 billion aid package. He also said he was grateful for the 9 billion euros that the European Union pledged on Wednesday.
The foreign money should not be seen as a gift, but as a “contribution to one’s own security”, Zelensky emphasized. “Because defending Ukraine also means defending one’s own against new wars and crises that Russia may provoke.”