Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced on Monday that Kyiv is working to secure at least $1 billion every month in financing for U.S.-made weapons, underlining the urgency of building a sustainable pipeline of military support as the war with Russia grinds on.
Speaking alongside Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store in Kyiv, Zelenskiy emphasized that Ukraine’s defense now depends not only on emergency deliveries, but on predictable and recurring funding to strengthen long-term military capacity. He stressed that Norway could play a critical role, particularly in reinforcing Ukraine’s air defense network and bolstering maritime security systems, two areas heavily targeted by Russia’s escalating strikes.
The appeal follows Kyiv’s success earlier this month in securing $1.5 billion from European allies through the NATO Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List. That package included $500 million contributions each from Germany, the Netherlands, and a coalition of Scandinavian states. These funds are already earmarked for the purchase of U.S. equipment, ranging from interceptor missiles to air defense systems.
Among Ukraine’s most urgent needs are additional Patriot missile defense batteries. Germany has committed funding for two Patriot systems, while Norway has pledged to cover the cost of another. Talks are ongoing with the Netherlands to arrange financing for as many as seven more. Ukrainian officials argue that without a steady stream of air defense interceptors, the country risks falling behind Russia’s relentless aerial campaign.
Zelenskiy also highlighted the steep financial burden Ukraine faces. He recently estimated that producing interceptors alone could cost $6 billion, while the overall defense shortfall for 2026 may climb to $40 billion, with an additional $25 billion required to expand missile and drone manufacturing capacity. These figures underscore the gap between Ukraine’s battlefield needs and its current resources.
By framing the appeal as a monthly funding cycle, Zelenskiy is pressing allies to move away from sporadic pledges toward a more structured financial commitment. Western nations are already exploring mechanisms to pool contributions into a $10 billion NATO-backed arms procurement fund, designed to streamline purchases and deliver weapons more quickly.
For Zelenskiy, Norway’s involvement carries symbolic and strategic weight. Beyond military hardware, he suggested Oslo could also contribute to broader security guarantees, reinforcing Ukraine’s defense posture and demonstrating transatlantic unity at a time of heightened pressure on the frontlines.
The call marks another step in Ukraine’s effort to secure enduring international support, ensuring that its resistance against Russia does not hinge solely on one-off packages, but on a sustained and reliable supply of weapons.