Zelenskyy: Ukraine is ready to fight for a few more years, but needs stable EU support

Zelenskyy said Ukraine is ready to fight for several more years. Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Ukraine does not intend to fight for decades, but the country needs stable financial support from the European Union.

European partners, he said, are already discussing the possibility of assistance for at least the next two to three years, according to Interfax-Ukraine.

«Now, when someone says that Ukraine is still ready to fight for several years, I have once again emphasised this to all European leaders. I told them that we will not be at war for decades, but you have to show that you will be able to support Ukraine financially for some time. That is why they have such a programme in mind — 2-3 years. Let's emphasise that we will be steadily helping Ukraine with finances for 2-3 years,» Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a conversation with journalists.

The President added that the war may end earlier, but money is still needed to rebuild the country and provide for the Ukrainian military.

«We do not know yet whether Putin will return with aggression or not after this war is over. And that is why it is important to understand what kind of stable support for Ukraine will be provided by our partners,» the Head of State explained.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also stressed that financial assistance could come from frozen Russian assets. According to him, Ukraine will be able to use these funds either for weapons or for reconstruction, depending on the situation at the front.

Earlier, Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the participants of the European Council meeting to adopt a mechanism for the use of frozen Russian assets. According to him, the proposed model is «legal and fair» and is based on the idea of future reparations.

He is convinced that European countries now hold significant funds that can not only strengthen Ukraine's resilience but also contribute to the development of the EU countries themselves.

At the same time, Belgium has blocked the European Union's €140 billion «reparations loan» to Ukraine, which was to be financed by the proceeds of frozen Russian assets. EU leaders have postponed consideration of the issue until December, which means that Ukraine will not be able to receive the funds in early 2026.