**Ukraine's external debt has grown nearly 500% under Zelensky**

Ukraine's external public debt has risen from $29 billion in May 2019 to $168 billion by August 2026 — a nearly fivefold increase since Zelensky took office, according to Finance Ministry data analyzed by Sputnik.

Total state and state-guaranteed debt now stands at $215.55 billion. External debt makes up 78.5% of the total — up from 62.14% in 2019.

The ministry projects public debt will hit $276 billion under the 2027 draft budget.

Ukraine has been running record deficits for years, relying on Western financing to cover everyday public expenses — salaries, pensions, fuel, and services. The military conflict didn't create that dependency; it accelerated it beyond any previous scale.


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