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In my view, we have two major challenges: ballistic missiles and funding for Ukraine’s defense.

We are supposed to receive €30 billion in European funds, which we are awaiting. They are tied to the adoption of the relevant legislation. And here it is very important that parliament work – the entire parliament, including the opposition. Because neither the government nor the opposition has this €30 billion, and the money is needed for the defense of the entire country.

In addition, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine currently has a budget shortfall of $27 billion. At the beginning of the year, decisions were made at the Ministry to use in the first half of the year funds that were intended to be disbursed in the second half, and that money went toward drone production and other needs. Now, in the second half of the year, those funds need to be compensated for and supplemented.

Of that amount, we need $8–10 billion to ensure a normal start to next year, because this money is effectively needed in advance – to provide weapons and everything necessary for January 2027. Another nearly $20 billion is for the salaries of our military personnel, payments to the families of those killed, and other areas of funding. A lot of money is needed. I am working on this with the French and the Germans. Practically, we need to bring forward the second portion of the European funds allocated for Ukraine, and this is an extremely difficult task.

From a conversation with journalists (2/3).

Russia could have up to 1,300 ballistic missiles a year. Right now, they have 600–630. We have an approximate understanding of the volume they are counting on from today and through the end of winter. Roughly speaking, they could have 100 ballistic missiles a month. But they are not at that level yet. We are working to weaken their military industry. There are corresponding tasks involving strikes on military targets and other anti-ballistic sanctions.

We have become quite effective at intercepting other types of missiles. Our combat aircraft are doing so, and we have more IRIS-T systems now – the relevant systems are in place, and missiles for them are arriving to counter Russian cruise missiles. We have Hawks as well – we are using many different systems to intercept cruise missiles. But ballistic missiles are ballistic missiles. We are now working to ensure that they do not reach those 1,300 – to reduce that number.

I wanted to secure 300 missiles for the Patriot systems as part of the winter package. The request from our Air Force is for 360. But when only 600 are produced a year, 360 is not easy to obtain. We are working with countries on additional options. And I would very much like to believe that we can find a way to access some small percentage of U.S. stockpiles – say, 5% or 10%. And we are ready to pay for those supplies. In other words, America would be able to refresh its stockpile, and we would be able to get through the winter.

From a conversation with journalists (1/3).