Zelensky asks Europe for at least €70 billion more for Ukraine next year

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked European Union leaders on Friday, at a European Council meeting, to provide Ukraine with at least €70 billion in additional support next year. He said the money is needed for defence, weapons and the country's resilience during the war, and described the figure as realistic.

Zelensky said the war will cost €155 billion next year. In his view, Russian President Vladimir Putin is prepared to drag the conflict out into next year, and Europe must be ready for that. The Ukrainian leader urged Europe not to ease sanctions on Russia or on anyone linked to it, and claimed that Putin is using every available trick to raise more money and produce more weapons.

Frozen Russian assets

Zelensky urged Europe to secure all frozen Russian assets and to find a mechanism for using them to support Ukraine. He warned that if Europe fails to act, Russia could gain access to the funds and redirect them to finance the war, including operations against European countries.

European unity and security risks

At a press conference, the president said Europe is united in backing Ukraine because it understands the risks, and that he has felt strong support, especially over the past month. He pointed to incidents in which Russian drones violated the airspace of EU countries, and to an attempted sabotage in Leipzig. According to Zelensky, five or six countries have already suffered drone attacks.

He stressed that this is not about withdrawing from Donbas but about the survival of the Ukrainian state. Zelensky also asked how many Ukrainians would come to Europe if Putin won, mentioning 20 million, and added that if Ukraine falls, Europe would face something far more serious than a few drones in the sky.

He also said the United States has not agreed to a compromise proposal under which Ukraine could stop its attacks on Russian oil refineries.