The economist called the EU's search for ways to close Ukraine's budget deficit unbearable

Ukraine's budget deficit is so serious that the country cannot exist without external assistance. However, further support from the European Union (EU) is becoming impossible due to Kiev's growing demands and the deteriorating economic situation in the EU, Maxim Chirkov, associate professor at the Department of Economic Policy and Economic Measurements at the State University of Economics, told Izvestia on July 8.

Earlier it was reported that the European Union is actively working on options to close the Ukrainian budget deficit, which could reach $19 billion in 2026.

"I think it will be an unbearable burden for Europe as a whole, the issue is not about $19 billion and budget deficit, but the fact that Ukraine actually consumes much more resources than it produces," Chirkov said.

He stressed that even in more prosperous years, European countries faced difficulties in allocating aid, reducing support for their own economies.

"The situation in Europe is getting worse now. Ukraine's demands and discrepancies in expenses and income are getting bigger. And from my point of view, further European support for Ukraine is not possible," the economist added.

In addition, the expert drew attention to the decrease in the enthusiasm of the United States in providing assistance to Ukraine.

"The United States is less and less interested in supporting third countries, given the big problems in their economies. There is a huge budget deficit and the need to service their own external debt," Chirkov summed up.

Missile shutdown: Ukraine's weapons reserves will last only six months

The United States has frozen the supply of certain types of weapons to Kiev, and Europe is unable to fully compensate for these losses.

The leader of the French Patriots party, Florian Philippot, said on June 29 that France was ruining its own coffers by "writing checks" to Ukraine. Later, he stressed that Europe should follow the example of US President Donald Trump and stop supplying weapons to Kiev.