Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at a press conference in Kyiv that Russia's financial resources for sustaining the war were nearly twice those of Ukraine.
At the August 24, 2026, press conference, Zelenskyy said Russia had spent about €340 billion on the war, while Ukraine had spent €140 billion. He said Ukraine needed parity with Russia not only in funding but also in military capabilities.
Zelenskyy argued that Ukraine needed to achieve parity with Russia in the number of critical weapons and systems, particularly long-range unmanned aerial vehicles. He said moving the conflict onto Russian territory would make Russian society feel the consequences of the war and could push the Russian leadership toward genuine negotiations.