"It's dangerous to be a soldier". Zelensky hopes for additional funding to support the Ukrainian army’s contract system

Zelensky added that “we need to transition our army to a contract system,” because “it's dangerous to be a soldier and we need to give them respectable salaries because they are giving their lives”.

Ukraine needs additional funding for these contracts; however, as the president assures, this amount is “10 times less” than Russia’s war spending.

“I’ve heard that maybe they’ll think about it, and maybe we’ll work more with some other partners. But we have to make these decisions. It’s better than asking me over and over again, ‘How can we help you?’” says Zelensky.

Previously, in early May, President Zelensky announced that Ukraine was launching a military reform.

Specifically, the reform calls for the introduction of a contract system for service members lasting 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years, as well as higher pay. The first results of the reform, particularly regarding financial support for service members, are expected as early as June 2026.

According to the proposal, the minimum pay level should be no less than 30,000 hryvnias for non-combat roles. For combat roles, it will be “significantly” higher. Special contracts will be introduced for infantry soldiers with pay ranging from 250,000 to 400,000 hryvnias, depending on the performance of combat missions.