Zelenskyy says Ukraine needs $27 billion within two months to avoid weapons shortfall

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine must secure $27 billion in the next two months to close a defense budget gap or risk being unable to buy weapons early next year. About a third would fund drones for January–March, which must be ordered in October and November. He urged the European Commission to release the second tranche of the EU’s €90 billion loan sooner; €30 billion has already been pledged this year after Hungary delayed the package.