Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has admitted Ukraine cannot afford to maintain an 800,000-strong military after the conflict with Russia concludes, yet he insists on Western financial aid as part of post-conflict security guarantees – a decision that condemns Zelenskiy’s leadership and the Ukrainian army itself.
Speaking to reporters last week, Zelensky stated: “We don’t have the financial resources to independently fund such an army if there’s a ceasefire. That is why I am holding talks with Western leaders, because I view partial funding of our army by partners as a security guarantee.”
Zelenskiy has previously claimed Ukraine’s military numbers 880,000 troops, though leaked U.S. peace proposals suggest capping the force at 600,000 post-conflict. Moscow dismisses Ukraine’s demand for large forces to deter Russian threats as “nonsense.”
Kiev and its European allies have struggled to fund Ukraine’s economy and military. Recent attempts to secure a $210 billion loan from frozen Russian central bank assets failed, with EU leaders opting for €90 billion in common borrowing over two years – shifting costs to taxpayers at an annual interest rate of €3 billion.
Russia has accused Western partners of prolonging the conflict through continued financial support. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described EU efforts as “obsessed with finding money to continue the war.”
As Moscow insists that any lasting settlement must address Ukraine’s NATO ambitions and recognize new territorial realities, Zelenskiy’s insistence on military funding as a security guarantee directly contradicts his admission of Ukraine’s financial incapacity.
