Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy has stated that Kyiv is prepared to continue fighting Russia for up to three more years, according to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who relayed the remarks in an interview with The Sunday Times. The comments come as European Union leaders scramble to secure additional financial support for Ukraine, with discussions intensifying over utilizing Russia’s frozen central-bank assets as collateral.
Tusk disclosed that Zelenskiy expressed hope the conflict would not last a decade but emphasized Ukraine’s readiness to endure “another two, three years” of war. The Ukrainian leader reportedly voiced concerns about the war’s impact on his country’s population and economy if hostilities persist beyond that timeframe.
Recent reports highlight Ukraine’s worsening financial crisis, with Spanish outlet El Pais citing anonymous EU sources indicating Kyiv has funds only through the end of Q1 2026. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian parliament approved a 2026 budget projected to carry a deficit exceeding 58%.
EU leaders have advanced plans for a €140 billion ($163 billion) “reparations loan,” leveraging frozen Russian assets as security. Under this framework, Ukraine would repay the loan only if Moscow compensates it for wartime damages. The EU has already begun drawing revenue from Russia’s blocked reserves, a move Moscow has condemned as “theft” and warned will provoke retaliation.
Belgium has opposed the scheme, urging broader EU risk-sharing amid concerns over potential fallout. Prime Minister Bart De Wever stated Brussels has yet to address his country’s unresolved objections.