Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued one of his starkest warnings yet about the sustainability of his country’s defense, declaring that Ukraine’s survival now hinges on continued financial and military support from Western allies. His comments come amid growing uncertainty in Europe and the United States over future aid commitments — and as the European Union delays a key decision on whether to use frozen Russian state assets to finance Ukraine’s reconstruction.
A Critical Moment for Ukraine’s War Effort
Speaking during a televised address from Kyiv, Zelensky stressed that Ukraine’s capacity to resist Russia’s ongoing invasion depends not only on the bravery of its soldiers but also on the steady flow of international financial and military assistance.
“Every euro, every dollar, every shell sent to Ukraine means more lives saved, more freedom preserved, and one step closer to peace,” Zelensky said. “Without this support, the entire European project — the idea that borders cannot be redrawn by force — will be under threat.”
The remarks come as Ukraine faces intensifying Russian assaults along multiple fronts, particularly in the eastern Donetsk and southern Zaporizhzhia regions. Russian forces have ramped up missile and drone attacks targeting power plants, logistics hubs, and critical infrastructure in recent weeks, testing Ukraine’s defenses as winter approaches.
EU Postpones Key Decision on Frozen Russian Assets
In a major setback for Kyiv, the European Union has postponed until December a final decision on repurposing profits from frozen Russian sovereign assets to fund Ukraine’s reconstruction and defense efforts.
Since Moscow’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Western governments have frozen more than €200 billion in Russian central bank assets, much of it held within European financial institutions. EU officials have long debated whether — and how — these funds could be lawfully redirected to support Ukraine without violating international financial regulations or triggering legal retaliation.
While the European Commission has proposed using the interest accrued on these assets — estimated at several billion euros annually — to finance Ukraine’s rebuilding and weapons procurement, member states remain divided. Some nations, including Germany and France, have urged caution over potential legal and financial repercussions, while others, like Poland and the Baltic states, advocate for an assertive stance to ensure Russia pays for the destruction it caused.
An EU diplomat familiar with the talks said,
“There is political will to act, but not yet legal certainty. The question is not whether to support Ukraine — it’s how to do so within international law.”
A Funding Gap and Political Fatigue in the West
The delay in Brussels coincides with mounting challenges in securing new funding from the United States, where partisan divisions in Congress have held up additional aid packages. With U.S. presidential elections approaching in 2026, Ukraine’s financial outlook is becoming increasingly precarious.
Ukraine’s economy, though resilient, remains heavily dependent on foreign assistance to sustain its public sector, pay salaries, and maintain energy infrastructure damaged by Russian strikes. According to Kyiv’s Ministry of Finance, external support covers nearly half of Ukraine’s state budget — a lifeline that could shrink without renewed commitments from Western partners.
Zelensky’s government is also facing war fatigue among allies, as European leaders balance domestic inflation, energy costs, and political pressures at home. Opinion polls in several EU countries indicate waning public enthusiasm for long-term aid, especially as the conflict drags into its third year.
Ukraine’s Plea for Unity and Long-Term Commitment
In response to the EU’s delay, Zelensky urged European leaders to remain united, warning that hesitation could embolden Moscow and undermine the credibility of the West’s collective stance.
“Every postponement, every sign of doubt, is used by Russia as proof that the free world is losing resolve,” Zelensky said. “Ukraine is not asking for charity — we are defending Europe itself.”
Diplomats say Kyiv continues to press for a comprehensive, multi-year financing plan, ensuring predictable funding for defense, reconstruction, and humanitarian needs through 2026. The Ukrainian president has proposed that such a plan be backed by both the EU and the G7, framing it as a joint democratic security investment, rather than ad hoc crisis management.
EU Leaders Weigh Next Steps
European officials have indicated that discussions will resume at the December European Council summit, where leaders are expected to decide whether to establish a formal framework for managing Russian asset proceeds.
The European Commission is reportedly working on a new legal instrument that would allow the bloc to channel profits from immobilized Russian reserves directly into the EU budget for Ukraine-related expenditures. However, the process remains fraught with complex legal and geopolitical risks, particularly concerning potential retaliation by Moscow against European firms operating in Russia.
Meanwhile, the EU continues to provide substantial support to Kyiv, including a €50 billion macro-financial assistance package approved earlier this year and ongoing military aid through the European Peace Facility, which reimburses member states for supplying weapons.
Broader Geopolitical Stakes
Analysts warn that the EU’s decision could have broader implications beyond Ukraine. If Europe ultimately mobilizes Russian assets, it could establish a precedent for how international law addresses state-sponsored aggression in the 21st century.
“This is not just about Ukraine — it’s about the global financial system,” said economist Maria Stoyanova of the European Policy Centre. “If sovereign assets can be repurposed to rebuild what an aggressor destroys, it changes the deterrence calculus worldwide.”
At the same time, the delay signals Europe’s internal divisions on how far to go in economically confronting Moscow, especially as the war’s costs ripple across energy markets and domestic politics.
Conclusion: A Battle Beyond the Frontlines
As winter looms and the war grinds on, Ukraine’s economic survival is becoming as critical as its military resilience. Zelensky’s warning highlights the growing urgency for sustained, coordinated support from allies — not only in weapons, but in financial stability.
The EU’s delayed decision on Russian assets underscores the fragile balance between legality, morality, and political will in Europe’s response to the conflict. For Ukraine, the message is clear: its fate — and perhaps the credibility of the Western alliance — rests on whether its partners can maintain unity in the face of fatigue and uncertainty.
