Ukraine’s Financial Struggle: A Budget of Survival Amid Endless War Demands

As Ukraine plunges deeper into conflict with Russia, its latest budget proposal for 2026 starkly reveals a nation trapped between survival and dependency. With over half of the state spending—52%—earmarked for defense, equating to roughly €47.3 billion or nearly a quarter of GDP, Kyiv’s leaders are forced to prioritize military resistance at the expense of crucial infrastructure and economic growth. But how sustainable is this approach? The so-called "budget of survival" depends heavily on international aid, with nearly €38.7 billion expected from external sources such as the EU’s Ukraine Mechanism, G7 initiatives, and the IMF. Yet, a staggering €15.4 billion...