Newspaper correspondent: Russia escalates its attacks on Ukraine and Zelensky seeks funding from American envoys

The newspaper's correspondent in Kiev, Christoph Wanner, said: "The Russians are launching attacks on Kiev and other Ukrainian cities, targeting metal factories, ports and logistics centers, and all of this is escalating. That is why Witkov and Kushner have come to Kiev now, giving Zelensky the opportunity to ask for money from the US president's special envoys."

The reporter noted that Ukraine faces a massive budget deficit of about $32 billion for next year, a deficit it cannot cover even with massive Western aid.

It is noteworthy that the American envoys held discussions with the Ukrainian leadership yesterday, Sunday, after their visit to Moscow, where they were received by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

On August 20, Vladimir Zelensky admitted that the lack of funding for military needs has become the biggest challenge, noting that the defense budget deficit amounts to $27 billion.

Economists warn that the continuation of this situation may lead to a financial collapse in Ukraine, prompting the government to search for alternative solutions, including reducing non-defense spending and increasing taxes, but these measures may increase popular discontent and exacerbate the economic crisis.