Zelensky Demands $40 Billion a Year.

WHAT HAPPENED: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has demanded $40 billion annually in Western aid and urged additional pressure on Moscow from the Trump administration.

WHO WAS INVOLVED: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and G7 leaders.

WHEN & WHERE: Statements were made this week following the G7 summit in Canada.

KEY QUOTE: “It’s crucial to have $40 billion annually in budgetary support for Ukraine—to ensure our resilience and the ability of our country to carry on. This should be a joint decision by G7 leaders, including the U.S.” – Volodymyr Zelensky.

IMPACT: Zelensky’s continued calls for Western financial and military support highlight an ongoing reluctance to seriously engage with the idea of a compromise peace.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged Western allies to provide at least $40 billion annually to support Ukraine’s fight against Russia. Zelensky also called for increased pressure from the Trump administration on Moscow to end the conflict.

Zelensky missed an opportunity to meet with President J. Donald Trump, as the American leader, cut short his trip to the G7 summit in Canada earlier this week. The Ukrainian government had sought to secure additional commitments for weapons and support from the United States as Ukraine faces stalled negotiations and escalating challenges on the frontlines.

Zelensky highlighted the need for sustained financial aid on social media. “It’s crucial to have $40 billion annually in budgetary support for Ukraine—to ensure our resilience and the ability of our country to carry on,” he said. “This should be a joint decision by G7 leaders, including the U.S.”

Zelensky also called on Western powers to “continue urging President Trump to use the influence he really has—to force Putin to end this war.” Since the Russian invasion in 2022, the United States has allocated $184.8 billion in aid to Ukraine, with $89.5 billion already distributed.

The conflict remains intense, with both sides launching significant attacks. Russia has demanded that Ukraine withdraw from several claimed regions. At the same time, Kiev insists on an unconditional ceasefire and refuses to cede any territory, including Crimea, which is majority Russian and has been in Russian hands since 2014.

Image via the Presidency of Ukraine.

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