Zelensky urged the European Union to enable the use of frozen Russian funds to help Ukraine

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Ukrainian President Zelensky Urges EU to Send More Weapons, Use Frozen Russian Funds to Support Troops

Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky made a plea to European Union leaders on Thursday, urging them to expedite arms shipments to his troops and authorize the use of frozen Russian funds to support their fight against Russian aggression.

During a video speech to EU leaders gathered in Brussels for a summit, Zelensky emphasized the importance of European allies providing anti-aircraft aid and various ammunition to ensure that Russia is defeated in the ongoing war.

“We have to be clear about our common European objective. It is the same as from the beginning: the Russian system must lose in this war against Ukraine,” Zelensky stated, emphasizing that Russia’s aggression is also a threat to the way of life in all of Europe.

Zelensky proposed using frozen Russian assets, which were seized in February 2022, to fund the rearmament of Ukraine’s Armed Forces and assist in the country’s reconstruction efforts. The European Commission has proposed using these funds, totaling approximately 3 billion euros annually, to finance weapons and ammunition for Ukraine, with 90% allocated to military equipment through the European Peace Support Fund.

In response to the destruction caused by Russian attacks in Ukraine, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmigal estimated that the nation will need around USD 500,000 million to recover. He also discussed potential measures with American think tanks to hold Russia accountable financially, including implementing a special tax on Russian resources post-war.

The use of frozen Russian assets and the delivery of weapons to Ukraine are seen as crucial steps in supporting the country’s defense against Russian aggression. The international community continues to stand by Ukraine in its fight for sovereignty and peace.