Ukraine’s main priorities are strengthening air defense and funding its armed forces. Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov presented Ukraine’s key defense needs at the EU Ambassadors Conference, attended by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas. During an online address, Fedorov stated that Ukraine continues to inflict significant losses on Russia.
“The claim that Russia has the upper hand on the battlefield is a myth. We are becoming increasingly effective, and the cost of war for Russia is rising,” Fedorov emphasized.
He noted that Russian losses already exceed their capacity to mobilize and replenish human resources. This is a crucial step toward achieving one of the objectives of Ukraine’s war plan: stopping Russia’s advance on the ground.
The Defense Minister stressed that air defense remains a top priority for Ukraine. This is why the country urges partners to continue supporting the PURL program, which provides critical air defense systems and missiles, including for Patriot and NASAMS systems.
Fedorov thanked the EU for its systematic support and for the decision to provide Ukraine with a €90 billion credit in 2026–2027. He highlighted the importance of flexible allocation of these funds to Ukraine’s defense needs.
At the same time, achieving a just peace requires delaying “shadow fleet” tankers and imposing new sanctions on the Russian economy. Ukraine is developing a strategy of economic pressure against Russia and will soon present it to its partners.
The Defense Minister also noted that Ukraine is already ready to create value for its partners. He added that no other country has the same experience in countering “Shahed” drones, and only Ukraine possesses the technical solutions to effectively neutralize this threat.
“Cooperation with Ukraine can help prepare other countries for the challenges of modern warfare,” Fedorov concluded.
