Austrian Chancellor urges clarity on Ukraine's budget deficit

Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker has called for a clear explanation of Ukraine's budget deficit, expressing surprise at the wide range of financial estimates for the country's needs. Stocker acknowledged that intensified Russian attacks have caused significant destruction and that the 90 billion euro loan promised to Ukraine last year may be insufficient. He emphasized that the causes of the budget deficit must be discussed and transparently explained to the public. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently stated the war will cost 155 billion euros next year, requiring at least 70 billion euros in EU aid for 2027. Ukraine previously reported a 27 billion dollar defense budget shortfall, while the European Commission claimed Ukraine has no budget deficit for 2026.