On 16 December, Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal addressed partners during the 32nd meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the Ramstein format, held online. He told Ukraine's allies directly what is needed so that 2026 does not become the year the war starts to be lost.
He thanked allies for their unprecedented support in 2025, which has already become the largest year for military aid since the start of Russia’s full-scale war.
Record-breaking 2025 and the alarming math of 2026
According to Shmyhal, if all commitments are fulfilled, Ukraine could receive up to $45 billion in defense assistance in 2025 which is the highest figure of the entire war. However, the outlook for 2026 is far more demanding.
“Ukraine’s total defense needs for 2026 amount to $120 billion. Ukraine can cover half of this sum with its own resources. But $60 billion must come from partners,” Shmyhal said.
These figures, he stressed, reflect the true scale of Russia’s war, not only against Ukraine but against European security as a whole.
Air defense, drones, and ammunition as matters of survival
Shmyhal outlined Ukraine’s core priorities for 2026:
- Stable and predictable defense financing, with a proposal for partners to allocate at least 0.25% of GDP to support Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
- Air and missile defense, as Russia continues its massive aerial terror against Ukrainian cities.
- Support for Ukrainian drone and weapons production, which has already proven its effectiveness on the battlefield.
- Supply of ammunition, including long-range capabilities.
- The PURL mechanism, as a key framework for Europe–US cooperation, with Ukraine’s 2026 requirement estimated at $15 billion under this instrument.
