ZELENSKYY: If Ukraine does not receive funding, Europe will have to pay with blood

Thursday, December 18, 2025 -Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a stark warning, saying that failure to provide sustained funding to Ukraine will come at a deadly cost for Europe. 

Speaking amid mounting pressure on Kyiv’s defenses, Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine is not only fighting for its own survival but acting as a frontline shield for European security. His message was blunt: financial hesitation today risks human loss tomorrow.

Ukraine is facing critical shortages in military supplies, air defense systems, and financial support needed to maintain resistance against ongoing attacks. 

Officials in Kyiv argue that delays in funding directly weaken defensive capabilities, increasing the risk of territorial losses and civilian casualties. European leaders are now under renewed pressure to accelerate aid decisions as battlefield conditions intensify.

Zelenskyy’s remarks have amplified urgency across European capitals, where debates over defense spending and political fatigue continue. 

Analysts warn that a weakened Ukraine could destabilize the wider region, forcing Europe into far costlier military and humanitarian responses. The warning leaves little room for delay: continued support now, or a far higher price later.