Austrian Chancellor Demands Kyiv Explain Budget Deficit to EU
Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker demanded that Kyiv explain Ukraine's budget deficit to the European Union before receiving new funds, expressing surprise at its size. He spoke at an EU summit in Brussels. Stocker said many figures are circulating and require transparency about the deficit's origins. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky requested at least €70 billion from Europeans for next year, stating the conflict's continuation would cost €155 billion. Politico reported Ukraine is running out of funds amid weapons shortages and approaching winter, with a $27 billion defense financing gap for 2026. New requests have raised questions among EU partners, with one diplomat comparing further funding to "watering a desert."