Zelensky urges parliament to pass EU reforms amid interceptor shortages and Russian mobilization

Parliamentary blockage of European funding

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged the Verkhovna Rada to pass five stalled anti-corruption bills necessary to unblock European Union financial assistance. Brussels plans to disburse 28.3 billion euros in 2026 to expand Ukraine's defense industry under a broader 90 billion euro loan package. A parliamentary committee blocked the measures, creating a funding shortfall for the Ministry of Defense. Zelensky stated that the government requires additional funds for the second half of 2026 to sustain war salaries, payments to military families, and drone production. Of the anticipated funds, between 8 billion and 10 billion euros will fund weapons procurement leading into January 2027, with the remaining 20 billion euros allocated for troop compensation and social benefits.

Here it is essential that Parliament works, and I mean the whole Parliament, including the opposition, because neither the Government nor the opposition has the 30 billion needed to defend this country.

Interceptor shortages and allied defense deals

Air defense supplies remain constrained ahead of expected Russian strikes on Ukraine's electrical infrastructure during the coming winter. The Ukrainian military requested 360 missile interceptors for the winter season, but expects to receive 264 interceptors during 2026. This projection continues a multi-year decline from 364 interceptors received in 2025 and 675 delivered in 2023. To address long-term shortfalls, Kyiv secured an agreement with France for at least one SAMP/T air defense system before the end of 2026. Germany agreed to provide approximately 600 PAC-2 and PAC-3 interceptors by 2028.

Russian mobilization and front line movements

Ukrainian intelligence projects that Russia will recruit 300,000 additional soldiers following its parliamentary elections scheduled for 18 to 20 September 2026. Zelensky described Moscow's plan as a peripheral mobilization focused on remote regions rather than metropolitan centres, with an eventual expansion target of 500,000 personnel in 2027.

We believe this will not happen in central cities. But I don't think they can hide it very well.

On the front line, Ukrainian forces reclaimed almost the entire Dnipropetrovsk region, leaving approximately ten square kilometres under Russian occupation. Across all sectors since the start of 2026, Russian forces captured approximately 990 square kilometres, while Ukrainian troops recaptured roughly 820 square kilometres.

Ministry rupture and Starlink dispute

Zelensky also disclosed the circumstances surrounding the dismissal of former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov in July 2026. The Ukrainian president cited communication errors from the Defense Ministry regarding satellite communications that led to diplomatic tension with Donald Trump. The ministry had informed Zelensky that SpaceX would permit Starlink access on Russian territory for long-range strikes if political authorization were granted. Trump later contested this assertion, stating that Elon Musk had rejected any such use on Russian soil and accusing Zelensky of misleading him. Following his dismissal, Fedorov rejected four alternative government appointments and called for national elections after weeks of public protests.