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Ukraine plans to allocate a record share of its national budget to defence in 2027 as the cost of its war with Russia continues to strain public finances, according to government documents.
The draft budget shows that Kyiv intends to spend about 4.9 trillion hryvnia ($109 billion) on defence and security next year, representing around 44 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product. The figure marks the highest level of defence spending since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.
Ukraine’s Finance Minister Sergiy Marchenko said the budget was prepared as Russian attacks continue to shape the country’s economic priorities.
“The draft budget for 2027 was formed at a time when Russian aggression was continuing, and security and defence needs remained crucial,” Marchenko said in a statement published Tuesday.
He added that defence remains the government’s top priority, with state resources being directed towards strengthening the country’s ability to continue resisting Russian forces.
Around one-third of the planned defence allocation will go towards soldiers’ salaries, while the remaining funds will largely support weapons procurement and military equipment, according to the finance ministry.
The rising military costs come as the war continues to damage Ukraine’s economy, with widespread destruction affecting infrastructure and public finances. Although Ukraine initially funded defence operations through domestic revenue, it has increasingly depended on international support to sustain spending.
The government said it will seek an additional $53 billion in foreign assistance next year from institutions including the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said parliament would need to approve difficult measures to secure further international financing. He pointed to proposals such as a tax on foreign parcels, saying such steps were necessary to meet defence and national resilience needs.
“Right now, without these things, it is impossible to ensure the full needs of our defence and the resilience of Ukraine,” Zelensky said.
Ukraine has received about $200 billion in financial support from international partners since Russia’s invasion, alongside billions of dollars in military aid.
