Expert in international affairs and author of the Resurgam channel explains that in 2025, Ukraine's defense spending - including revisions - totaled UAH 2.6 trillion, while partner military support over the first nine months exceeded USD 53 billion.Thus, in 2025, Ukraine’s total military budget is set to approach USD 100 billion, compared to Russia’s USD 145 billion.Amid doubts over whether Moscow will again allocate a record USD 145 billion in 2026, Kyiv - relying on its partners - plans not only to maintain its own record defense spending but also to increase it, aiming ultimately to match Russia’s central military budget.Where is the funding planned to come from?The plan is for Ukraine to provide 50% of the funding through domestic revenues, with partners financing the other 50% via various support programs. But in reality, it’s not a true 50/50 system. Half of 5 trillion UAH is 2.5 trillion - the size of Ukraine’s entire tax base this year. That would mean all domestic tax revenues would go to the military, while all social needs would have to be covered by macro-financial support from partner countries.In this scheme, Europe effectively pays twice: providing at least USD 40 billion annually in macro-financial support for Ukraine, plus USD 60 billion for military needs.So the question arises: is this even feasible?European national budgets for 2026 are only beginning to take shape, making it difficult to calculate exact figures. Known allocations include: Germany USD 11 billion, Norway USD 8.5 billion, the Netherlands USD 4 billion, France at least USD 3.5 billion, the UK up to USD 4 billion, and Sweden USD 2.2 billion.So, just these countries will allocate USD 33.2 billion for Ukraine’s military needs, already over 55% of Kyiv’s requested amount, not counting many other countries. There are also EU programs funding Ukraine’s defense sector and arms transfers under initiatives like EU SAFE, among others.As a reference, over the first nine months of 2025, NATO countries had already exceeded their 2024 commitments to provide Ukraine with at least USD 40 billion in military aid, and the total is now approaching USD 50 billion. The USD 40 billion target included the U.S. share, but Europe, the U.K., and Canada fully covered the shortfall. It is therefore quite likely that partners outside the U.S. will bring the total to USD 60 billion in 2026, roughly matching what they provided Ukraine in 2025.The remaining question is where to secure enough macro-financial support for Ukraine’s social needs. Even accounting for already promised EU and G7 aid for 2026, Kyiv will still require at least an additional USD 12-19 billion.European countries are actively looking for exactly this amount.The simplest - yet at the same time the most difficult - option is to make further use of Moscow’s frozen assets in Euroclear. The income from these holdings is already servicing the bonds under which Ukraine will soon receive the entire USD 50 billion promised by the G7.So, in recent days, leading EU financiers and finance ministries have been looking for ways to avoid legal consequences, overcome Euroclear’s reluctance, and guarantee support for Ukraine.A scenario is now being actively worked on — the one described by Politico as follows:“Brussels proposes exchanging cash (from frozen assets) for EU bonds, thereby avoiding the direct confiscation of Moscow’s funds.”If this mechanism gains enough support (media report cautious optimism), Kyiv will be able to secure substantial extra funding without technically expropriating Moscow’s frozen assets — a move that would be legally risky.The European Commission calls this tool a "Reparations Loan".Most importantly, despite the financial challenges of 2026, support for Ukraine remains steady, potentially sufficient, and, crucially, predictable, the author concludes.