Serhiy Prytula's Proposal for Cooperation with Volodymyr Zelenskyy
During a meeting on January 14, 2026, Ukrainian showman and charity founder Serhiy Prytula presented President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with a proposal to utilize charitable foundations as intermediaries for purchasing military supplies abroad. The discussion centered on improving coordination between these non-governmental organizations and military units. This suggestion comes as Ukraine continues to seek efficient channels for acquiring vital defense materials from international markets.
Prytula highlighted a key structural issue: while military units are prohibited from using charities as their direct purchasing agents, and often lack the legal or logistical capacity to buy essential gear, vehicles, and equipment overseas themselves, charitable organizations face no such restrictions and can import goods with zero customs duties. This discrepancy, he argued, presents a significant opportunity to better supply the Armed Forces of Ukraine by leveraging the unique advantages of the charitable sector.
'A great deal of the equipment our military needs is purchased abroad by charitable funds, but our purchasing power is limited by the donations we receive.' Serhiy Prytula
Prytula emphasized that charities can freely purchase vehicles in Europe and import them into Ukraine. He also noted that given the rapid pace of technological advancement, there is a growing need for a system capable of responding swiftly to changing battlefield requirements.
'Therefore, under the close supervision of the state and regulatory bodies, we are ready to serve as a tool in the hands of the military.' Serhiy Prytula
In response, President Zelenskyy thanked Serhiy Prytula and his foundation for their ongoing support to Ukraine's military, acknowledging the critical importance of cooperation between the state and charitable organizations in equipping the army with necessary resources.
Prospects for Cooperation
This proposed partnership could become a vital mechanism for meeting the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, especially amid ongoing combat and resource shortages. Using charities as procurement intermediaries has the potential to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and accelerate the delivery of essential hardware and ammunition. Furthermore, such a formalized system could attract new donors and expand the financial capabilities available for military support.