Ukraine's war outlook worsens as Kyiv confronts budget and weapons shortfalls

The Washington Post ^ | September 13, 2026 | Francesca Ebel, Ellen Francis

[MinorityRepublican]

Ukraine’s war prospects have grown notably bleaker in recent weeks, with Kyiv overwhelmed by Russian air power and facing an acute cash crunch, a swirl of corruption allegations, new internal political divisions and growing exhaustion among its international supporters — even as the Trump administration is now pushing to revive long-stalled peace negotiations.

Amid the constant Russian drone and missile attacks, two shortfalls are raising the greatest alarm: a lack of air defense interceptors and an unexpected $27 billion budget gap that Ukrainian officials say must be filled by year’s end.

President Donald Trump on Sunday added new pressure, urging Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to stop targeting Russian oil refineries because of rising global diesel prices — effectively demanding that Ukraine refrain from one of its most effective strategies in defending against Russia’s invasion.

“Mr. Zelensky has to do one thing,” Trump said while in Ireland to watch the Irish Open golf tournament. “He has to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia. We spoke to Mr. Zelensky about it. There are plenty of other targets. Don’t hit diesel fuel, because that’s hurting, that’s hurting the world.”

Trump spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, after U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner visited Moscow and Kyiv the previous weekend. Trump’s comments about diesel reflected his concern about gasoline prices in the United States, where diesel prices have hit record highs in recent days.

---

TOPICS: Ukraine
KEYWORDS: putinpuffingpost

[The Louiswu]

So it’s now a war about oil.

[existentially_kuffer]

Hey, even EU is not buy weapons for ukraine?

[House Atreides]

“… an unexpected $27 billion budget gap…”
********************************************

It is SO, SO UNEXPECTED that Zelensky would be back saying….. GIBS ME MO’ BILLIONS.

[Tench_Coxe]

Actually, its: “You give me money”.

[mikey_hates_everything]

and an unexpected $27 billion budget gap that Ukrainian officials say must be filled by year’s end.

”Filled” by whom? Us? Our own budget deficits aren’t enough?

[A strike]

We don’t owe Ukraine Schiff ..

[A strike]

We don’t owe Ukraine shiite ..

[EnderWiggin1970]

Where’s adorno? He needs to prop up Zeeper morale by announcing that Russia is on the brink of collapse and Ukraine is winning. :-)

[delta7]

Where’s adorno? He needs to prop up Zeeper morale by announcing that Russia is on the brink of collapse and Ukraine is winning
———————————-

Where’s adorno? He needs to prop up Zeeper morale by announcing that Russia is on the brink of collapse and Ukraine is winning, will remove Russia from the Donbas and Crimea and start marching on Moscow any day now.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

Country is importing Indians now to replace the men who died in war.