Ukraine’s Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal Calls for $60 Billion in Allied Support and 0.25% GDP Defence Pledge
At the 31st meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) in Brussels, Ukrainian Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal delivered a passionate and detailed address urging NATO and partner nations to expand financial and military support as Russia’s war enters another critical winter.
Speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, and UK Defence Secretary John Healey, Shmyhal thanked allies for their unity and personal commitment to Ukraine’s defence but warned that Russia still believes it can win with bombs, not diplomacy.
“Ukraine never wanted this war. We want peace — real peace — based on justice and international law,” Shmyhal said, while expressing appreciation for President Trump’s personal efforts to encourage Russia to enter peace negotiations. Still, he emphasized that Moscow’s continued strikes on Ukrainian cities prove its intent to prolong the conflict, making strong global pressure and coordinated military aid essential.
Shmyhal outlined three key priorities for 2025 and 2026:
1. The PURL initiative — the Prioritized Ukraine Requirement List, which channels Western weapons and funds directly to Ukrainian needs. He urged all allies to participate fully, noting funding requirements between $12–20 billion for 2025 alone.
2. Ukrainian-made drones and missiles, including FPV and ISR drones, requiring $4 billion in immediate financing. Shmyhal announced that Ukraine aims to produce up to 10 million drones by 2026, combining these with deep-strike missile systems from partners to counter Russia’s long-range attacks.
3. Extended-range artillery and air defence, focusing on joint ammunition procurement and supplying more Patriot, NASAMS, IRIS-T, and F-16 interceptors. He revealed that in September alone, Russia launched 5,600 strike drones and 180 missiles at Ukrainian infrastructure.
Shmyhal detailed Ukraine’s overall defence funding needs for 2026 at $120 billion, half of which Kyiv will cover domestically. He appealed to international partners to finance the remaining $60 billion, proposing that each ally contribute 0.25% of national GDP toward Ukraine’s defence. If that proves unachievable, he urged allies to use frozen Russian assets as collateral for loans to fund Ukraine’s armed forces.
He warned against complacency: “It would be a mistake to believe that peace is already near. The war continues every day — in our strikes and in our land.”
Shmyhal framed Ukraine’s struggle as a cornerstone of Europe’s future security: “Ukraine’s army today is the most experienced and capable in Europe. The technologies we develop — drones, interceptors, long-range systems — will strengthen Europe’s resilience for decades.”
He concluded with an emotional appeal for unity: “Let us act together with resolve and without delay. Thank you to all of you — John, Pete, Boris, Mark — for your leadership, your nations’ contributions, and our shared strength in the face of aggression. Slava Ukraini.”
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