KYIV — President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine will need Europe’s financial lifeline for at least two to three more years as the country braces for a prolonged fight against Russia’s invasion, according to “Hurriyet Daily News.
Speaking Tuesday, Zelensky urged European leaders to ensure a steady flow of economic support, arguing that sustained aid could determine whether Ukraine’s resistance endures or falters.
“We are not going to fight for decades,” Zelensky said. “But Europe must prove it can guarantee stable financial backing for a certain period of time. That is why this new program envisions a two- to three-year horizon.
The Ukrainian leader was referring to a European Commission proposal to tap frozen Russian assets, estimated in the hundreds of billions to fund Ukraine’s defense and reconstruction. The plan, still under negotiation, would release those assets gradually, offering Kyiv a predictable stream of revenue amid growing donor fatigue across Europe.
Zelensky also turned his attention to Washington, calling on U.S. President Donald Trump to use his upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping to curb Beijing’s support for Moscow.
“This could be one of President Trump’s strongest moves,” Zelensky told reporters, including AFP. “If, after firm sanctions, China reduces its imports from Russia, that would be a decisive signal.”
Trump last week imposed new sanctions on two major Russian oil companies and has intensified pressure on buyers of Russian energy particularly China and India to slash purchases that Western officials say bankroll the Kremlin’s war machine.
For Ukraine, the coming years may hinge on whether Europe and the United States can maintain both financial and political resolve, a test not just of endurance, but of faith in a democratic nation still under siege.
