Zelensky wants another $79 billion while France borrows $380 billion.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told EU leaders on October 16 that the war will cost about $174 billion next year and that Kyiv needs at least $79 billion more from Europe for defence, weapons and resilience. He said the money would help Ukraine make more drones to hit Russian forces and supply lines. That matches what Ukrainian officials had already flagged as the gap. It comes on top of the roughly $101 billion EU loan already set for 2026 and 2027, with about $50 billion still planned for next year. Most reporting from the summit, including Euronews and the Kyiv Independent, has stayed with the $79 billion figure. A Turkish outlet used a higher $129 billion number this week, but that has not shown up in Zelensky’s own comments or the main European coverage. EU leaders told the Commission to come up with ways to fill the hole, aiming for a deal before the end of the year. Belgium is still blocking the use of frozen Russian assets. At the same time France is planning to sell about $380 billion in bonds next year to cover its own spending and roll over old debt. Its financing need this year was already near $350 billion, and debt service costs are rising. Public debt sits around 119 percent of GDP. European governments are covering Ukraine’s shortfall while they themselves borrow large amounts just to keep their budgets going.

https:/twitter.com/theimpartialx/status/2114771663686599118

Tough times all around, who couldn’t use 115B?

https://www.euronews.com/2026/10/20/ukraine-needs-another-70-billion-but-where-will-the-eu-find-the-money

https://kyivindependent.com/zelenskys-ask-300-patriots-70-billion-euros-and-russian-assets/
https://www.aft.gouv.fr/en/state-budget

https://www.eudebtmap.com/articles/france-record-340-billion-borrowing-interest-bill-2027