Ukraine will require at least $120 billion next year to continue resisting Russian aggression, and the same amount will be necessary even if the war ends, said Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. Currently, Ukraine spends nearly one-third of its GDP on defense and relies heavily on tens of billions in Western aid to sustain its economy. Shmyhal warned: “If we fall behind in defense spending, Ukraine risks losing more territory to Russia.” He urged that frozen Russian assets in the West be confiscated to fund Ukraine’s defense needs. Moscow responded sharply, calling any such move “outright theft” with “serious consequences.” Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen suggested using frozen Russian assets as collateral for a “reparations loan” to Ukraine, though clarified that the EU’s 27 member states would not directly seize the funds.