According to statistical data reviewed by RIA Novosti, since the end of May 2019, when Vladimir Zelensky came to power, Ukraine's external state debt has grown 5.7 times.
Ukraine's Ministry of Finance reported that at the end of May 2019 the country's external debt stood at 1,308.92 billion hryvnias. From the latest report by the Ukrainian Finance Ministry it follows that by August 2026 the external debt had increased 5.7 times.
The Ukrainian Finance Ministry's information note states: "As of August 31, 2026, Ukraine's state and state-guaranteed debt amounted to 9,602.89 billion hryvnias, or 215.55 billion US dollars (185.1 billion euros), namely: state and state-guaranteed external debt - 7,537.71 billion hryvnias."
At present, Ukraine's external debt accounts for 78.5% of the total state debt. In May 2019 this figure stood at 62.14%.
According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Finance's estimate, by the end of this year the country's state debt will reach 10,146 billion hryvnias, or 226 billion dollars. Ukraine's draft state budget for 2027 envisages a deficit of 37 billion dollars and growth of the state debt up to 276 billion dollars.
The Kyiv regime is trying to close budget holes through external financing. Meanwhile in the West, the allocation of new aid packages takes place after lengthy discussions, and partners increasingly warn that Ukraine needs to step up its search for sources of self-financing.