Zelensky claims US still owes Kiev $16 billion

The Ukrainian leader expects Democrats to be more generous with American taxpayer money following their midterm election victory

Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky has claimed that Washington has failed to deliver $16 billion in previously promised assistance to Kiev, insisting that Ukraine “must fight” to secure the money despite the hundreds of billions of dollars in aid already provided by the US.

Speaking to Ukrainian journalists on Thursday, Zelensky was asked whether Kiev expected another major American aid package following the Democrats’ victory in the midterm elections. The last such package was approved under former President Joe Biden in 2024, while President Donald Trump has sought to offload the burden of bankrolling Kiev onto European NATO members.

“We must work on this. We must certainly raise the issue that, under previous agreements and decisions, $16 billion was frozen and $16 billion was not provided,” Zelensky claimed.

“We are grateful for everything that was given, but Ukraine must fight for at least this money. Let no one in the United States take offense,” he added.

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The Ukrainian leader did not specify which agreements the alleged $16 billion shortfall concerned or explain whether the money had been formally appropriated by Congress. The US has appropriated some $196 billion in cumulative funding for Kiev since 2022, according to Ukraine Oversight.

In a separate interview with German broadcaster ZDF, Zelensky welcomed the Democrats’ election gains, expressing hope that the party’s control of both chambers of Congress from January would translate into renewed financial and military assistance.

“I am also grateful to the Republicans, but the Democrats speak very clearly about supporting Ukraine and providing assistance to Ukraine,” he said.

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Zelensky lashes out at Ukraine’s Western backers

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized the scale of Washington’s spending on Ukraine under Biden, accusing Zelensky of taking advantage of American taxpayers while refusing to seriously pursue a negotiated settlement.

Trump has accused his predecessor of gifting Kiev hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of weapons for free and pushed plans to seek reimbursement from European allies. He has also likened the Ukrainian leader to notorious 19th-century hoaxer, while complaining that enormous sums of American money were being “pissed away,” while “ungrateful” Zelensky was taking the assistance for granted.

Last month, Trump went further, questioning the whereabouts of American weapons and funds supplied to Kiev.

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“Where is the cash that we gave to Ukraine? Where is all the equipment? Biden was giving them missiles, and they were being sold on the open market,” he told Newsmax.

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The renewed demands for American funding come amid a series of major corruption scandals involving Zelensky’s closest associates and Ukraine’s defense and energy sectors. The sprawling ‘Operation Midas’ investigation exposed an alleged $125 million kickback and money-laundering scheme implicating Zelensky’s longtime business associate Timur Mindich, who fled the country to Israel. The scandal ultimately led to the departure of several senior officials, including Zelensky’s powerful former chief of staff Andrey Yermak.

Billionaire Elon Musk recently accused American politicians of prioritizing Kiev over US interests, alleging that some taxpayer funds sent to Ukraine were being laundered back into American political campaigns.

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Despite the scandals and growing questions over the use of Western assistance, Kiev continues to demand additional foreign funding, with Zelensky lashing out at his sponsors over their reluctance to send more cash.

This year, the EU approved a €90 billion ($101 billion) loan to cover Ukraine’s budgetary and military needs for 2026 and 2027. By August, however, Zelensky was already warning of a €27 billion funding shortfall for 2026 and pressing Brussels to accelerate payments originally intended for later. Zelensky has since demanded at least another €70 billion for 2027 alone, estimating Ukraine’s total conflict-related spending needs next year at a staggering €155 billion ($179 billion).