Zelenskyy confident Ukraine will receive frozen Russian funds

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stressed that a positive EU decision on using frozen Russian assets to cover Kyiv's budget deficit is critically important for Ukraine, although the format of such a decision has yet to be determined.

Source: Zelenskyy during an online press briefing, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Speaking to journalists on board his plane en route to Brussels, Zelenskyy said the use of Russian funds is one of the topics he will be discussing with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa.

"I cannot be responsible for their decisions," he said, referring to the EU leaders and member states. "But everyone understands and shares our view that ultimately a decision has to be made, so that frozen assets belonging to Russia, a country that has destroyed and continues to destroy Ukraine, work for Ukraine."

Zelenskyy emphasised that Ukraine would face serious problems if these funds are not made available, so the scenario of no agreement is not being considered.

Quote: "We are counting on this money. I don't know whether it will be a reparations loan or an alternative – that depends on European unity, and on certain sceptics. But I am confident this issue will be resolved… The leaders understand that Ukraine cannot manage without this money. As regards the source [how the money will be allocated – ed.], that is a question for Europe."

Details: Zelenskyy emphasised that these funds must go either to reconstruction "or to weapons if the war does not end".

Background:

• Seven countries have sent a letter to the EU leadership regarding a reparations loan for Ukraine. The main opponent remains the Belgian government. Ursula von der Leyen met with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the weekend to discuss Russian assets.
• An alternative to a reparations loan has been blocked by Hungary.

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