Ukraine to request $20 billion to keep momentum against Russia, source says
KYIV, June 12 (Reuters) – Ukraine is seeking an additional $20 billion in military funding from its allies to strengthen its advantage against Russia, which it sees as its current battlefield, a Ukrainian defense source said on Friday.
The request will be made next Thursday at a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, an alliance of more than 50 countries also known as the Ramstein group that provides financial and military assistance to Kiev.
Russia’s advance has slowed this year – coming to a virtual halt last month – while Ukraine’s medium-range drone strikes have damaged front-line supplies and logistics. Meanwhile, long-range drone attacks are damaging Russia’s energy sector.
In recent weeks, Ukrainian military commanders have said that the dynamics on the battlefield give them the opportunity to bring Russia to the negotiating table on more favorable terms this year.
Ukraine’s drone commander, Robert Brovdi, told Reuters the strategic aim was to force Russia to withdraw its troops from the front line by destroying supply lines and logistics with increased drone attacks.
To achieve this, Ukraine needs money, he said.
“The production capabilities, quality of drones and number of crews operating in Ukraine are enough to inflict devastating blows on the Russian economy, clogging its logistics and killing personnel,” Brovdi said.
Zelenskiy said last month that he wanted to resume peace talks with Russia, which have stalled in recent months, before the start of winter to take advantage of an improvement in Kiev’s strategic position.
However, Putin said last week that Russian forces continued to advance every day and that he did not see the need for such talks. Although he acknowledged that Ukraine’s attacks caused damage, he said there was no risk to the Russian economy.
Ukraine’s plan to request additional funds was first reported by Politico.
At next week’s meeting, some allies will be asked to contribute $2 billion to $6 billion each in the form of aid or loans to reach the $20 billion target, the source said.
(Reporting by Max Hunder; Additional reporting by Olena Harmash; Editing by Daniel Flynn and Kevin Liffey)
