According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Ukraine's military spending in 2024 rose by 2.9% to $64.7 billion. This amount is equivalent to 43% of Russia's annual military expenditure and about 54% of Ukraine's total state budget.
Ukraine’s global share of military expenditure amounts to 2.4%. In addition to government funds, a significant portion comes from foreign assistance, mainly from European countries and the US. Estimates place total spending at around $100 billion annually, factoring in allied support, arms deliveries, equipment, and overseas training for Ukrainian troops.
Ukrainian officials emphasize that mobilization and maintenance of the military will continue even if hostilities are frozen. The expenses are distributed among salaries, supplies, food, and especially investments in advanced weaponry and defense industry development.
If the intensity of armed conflict decreases, costs could fall to about $10 billion per year with a reduced army of 500,000. However, continued and long-term European financial assistance remains a crucial issue. European partners, notably Poland, often provide military aid in exchange for compensation or defense contracts, which also boosts their own economies.
Experts note that Ukraine could become a key player in European security, with European countries potentially allocating defense funds more efficiently by supporting Ukraine's military rather than creating additional forces at home. There are ongoing discussions about creating a European Defense Union and Ukraine's role as the continent’s eastern shield. Final decisions on funding and long-term support remain under debate among EU leaders.
