Support for Fighting Ukraine

After nearly three years of heroic fighting against Moscow, Kyiv needs financial assistance to continue resisting Russian aggression. The best way to provide support is to use Russia’s frozen assets held in European banks - primarily in Belgium.

“We are in the middle of very difficult negotiations on the terms under which Russian assets can be used for Ukraine’s defence and later its reconstruction,” Donald Tusk said in Brussels.

Earlier, he called for swift decisions on the use of Russian funds.

“We have a simple choice - either money today, or blood tomorrow. I’m not talking about Ukraine; I’m talking about Europe. All European leaders must finally rise to the occasion,” the Prime Minister stressed.

At the same time, the Prime Minister explained that looking for other solutions, such as the EU taking on debt or allocating EU funds to finance support for Ukraine, does not generate enthusiasm among Member States. Such options would require decisions by national parliaments.

Kyiv’s Independence is in the Interest of All of Europe

 “Support for Ukraine, meaning, in fact, preventing its capitulation, is also an effort to ensure that the Russians do not gain a strategic advantage over us. Poland’s independence would be at risk if, as a consequence of bad decisions or a lack of decisions - for example on Europe’s part - Ukraine were forced to surrender. I would like this to finally reach everyone, including in Poland,” the head of government emphasized.

He also explained that the EU’s use of Russian funds for Ukraine would be a serious instrument of pressure on Moscow.

“Today we have a sense that Ukraine is under wartime pressure from Russia, but also under pressure from the United States. This concerns territorial concessions or readiness for far-reaching compromise. That is why using Russian funds would indeed be an instrument that would balance the negotiating positions of Russia and Ukraine,” Donald Tusk assessed.

The decision on using Russian money for Ukraine has not only a political dimension, but also a moral one.

“Why, for example, should we pay for Ukraine’s reconstruction when it was the Russians who bombed and devastated it? Whoever attacked, destroyed, bombed and killed - let them pay,” the Prime Minister explained.

According to the head of the Polish government, if the EU decides to use Russian assets frozen in connection with the aggression against Ukraine, Russia will have no choice but to accept that fact.