Ukraine expects the EU to provide €30 billion ($35 billion) to help fund the country's defence against the Russian invasion, President Volodymyr Zelensky told journalists in Kiev on Sunday.
The money would be "needed for the defence of the entire country," he said.
Zelensky detailed that Ukraine was currently facing a $27 billion hole in its defence budget, including $20 billion needed to pay the wages of soldiers, and compensate families of fallen soldiers, among other expenses.
He said additional funding was needed to fund the production of drones, which has proved vital for Ukraine's defence.
"A substantial sum of money is required. I am working with the French and Germans on this matter," Zelensky said.
The president also touched on the situation on the ground, saying Ukrainian soldiers have recaptured 820 square kilometres from Russian forces since the start of the year, including almost the entire Dnipropetrovsk region.
Zelensky also admitted that Russia has made gains since the start of the year, capturing an additional 990 square kilometres of Ukrainian land.
The president said he expects Ukraine to recapture further territory by the end of the year.
It was not possible to independently verify the figures.