Copyright kyivpost
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine will need financial backing from Europe for another two to three years to continue defending against Russian forces. Kyiv has relied heavily on military and financial support from international allies since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. “I emphasized this again to all European leaders. I told them that we are not going to fight for decades, but you must show that for some time you will be able to provide stable financial support to Ukraine,” Zelensky said during a briefing with journalists on Monday, including RBC-Ukraine correspondent. He noted that Brussels’ plans to tap Russia’s frozen assets could provide funding over the next two to three years. “If the war ends in a month, we will spend this money on recovery. If it does not end in a month, but after some time, then we will spend it on weapons. We simply have no other choice,” he added. As the war enters its fourth year, Russian forces continue to press forward, at heavy cost. Zelensky acknowledged that Moscow has established a foothold in the eastern city of Pokrovsk, a key former rail hub. “Around 200 Russians are located there in various places – we see this from drones. Pokrovsk is currently the main target for the Russians,” he said. Zelensky also called on US President Donald Trump to urge Chinese leader Xi Jinping to reduce support for Russia during their upcoming meeting. “I think this may be one of his strong moves, especially if, following this decisive sanctions step, China is ready to reduce imports from Russia,” Zelensky said. Trump last week hit two major Russian oil companies with sanctions and has been pressing Moscow’s top energy buyers, including China and India, to cut imports that fund Russia’s invasion.
