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Residents stand next to a large crater caused by Russian missile and drone strikes in Kyiv, Ukraine, on July 2 (local time). /Reuters, Yonhap

The Ukrainian government views the next 6 to 9 months as a decisive period that will determine the course of the war, and has requested its European Union (EU) allies to channel 6.6 billion euros (approx. 11.7 trillion won) available within the European Peace Facility (EPF) into military aid, Reuters reported on July 1 (local time).

According to a letter obtained by Reuters, Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov estimated that Ukraine's defense expenditure this year will reach approximately 136 billion euros (approx. 240.5 trillion won). Of this amount, the portion that can be covered by Ukraine's own budget is around 53 billion euros (approx. 93.7 trillion won).

While Ukraine is scheduled to be allocated about 28.3 billion euros (approx. 50.06 trillion won) for defense spending from this year's 90 billion euro (approx. 159 trillion won) EU loan package, Fedorov pointed out that a significant defense funding gap still remains.

He emphasized in the letter that the EPF funds could greatly contribute to Ukraine's defense this year, stating, "These resources must be deployed where they can produce the most immediate and significant military impact."

As the pace of Russia's advance slows, Ukraine is attempting counterattacks on certain frontlines. Ukraine continues to launch medium- and long-range strikes to disrupt supply chains inside Russian territory and cut off oil revenues.

Meanwhile, Fedorov separately stated during a press conference on the 17th of last month that he had requested an additional 2 billion dollars (approx. 3.1 trillion won) in military funding, on top of the 4 billion dollars (approx. 6.2 trillion won) already promised by the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG), a 50-nation coalition.

                                                                                                         Lee Jeong-eun