Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has urged international allies to provide additional air-defense systems and proposed using frozen Russian assets to help cover Ukraine’s projected €27 billion funding gap for 2026. The appeal comes as Kyiv continues defending against Russian missile and drone attacks and seeks to sustain military and infrastructure spending. An earlier estimate cited by Zelenskiy put Ukraine’s defense-budget shortfall at $27 billion, including $8 billion to $10 billion needed in advance for early 2027 and nearly $20 billion for military salaries, payments to families of service members killed on the frontlines and other costs. Zelenskiy has said the most realistic diplomatic settlement window runs from late 2026 through summer 2027, but market pricing for a Russia-Ukraine cease-fire by Dec. 31, 2026, has declined to 21.5% YES. Ukraine is pursuing additional Patriot, SAMP/T and Aster 30 capabilities, while discussions continue over joint Patriot-missile production with Raytheon. The European Union has previously used interest from frozen Russian central-bank assets to support Ukraine financially. Further military or diplomatic shifts, including statements from U.S. President Donald Trump or Russian President Vladimir Putin, could alter expectations for a cease-fire.