President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday (December 16) that Ukraine faced difficulties in meeting its financial needs and a European Union decision to use frozen Russian assets to support Kyiv was crucial.

Speaking in The Hague during a joint press conference with acting Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, Zelenskiy said that using the Russian frozen assets would help Kyiv to balance out a decrease in support from some of its partners.

"I do not see an opportunity to stand strong without this support," Zelenskiy told reporters.

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Ukraine faces financial challenges, Russian frozen assets are crucial, Zelenskiy says

VIDEO SHOWS: UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY MEETING DUTCH PRIME MINISTER DICK SCHOOF, COMMENTING

SHOWS: THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS (DECEMBER 16, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all)

1. UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY MEETING DUTCH PRIME MINISTER DICK SCHOOF / SHAKING HANDS / POSING FOR STILL PHOTOGRAPH

2. ZELENSKIY AND SCHOOF ENTERING ROOM

3. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY, SAYING:

“It is definitely not easy for Ukraine. We do have financial challenges. You see how we work (during talks). Not everyone is happy about the format of frozen assets use.”

4. ZELENSKIY AND SCHOOF

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY, SAYING:

“Today, frozen assets could balance out some decree in support from some countries. It would be serious support. I do not see an opportunity to stand strong without this support.”

6. ZELENSKIY AND SCHOOF

7. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY, SAYING:

“In Miami – I won’t be there, negotiating teams will be there – they (U.S.) will have feedback from the Russians. They will talk about a couple of documents, including security guarantees, economic restoration, and 20-point framework agreement.”

8. ZELENSKIY AND SCHOOF

9. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY, SAYING:

“It is hard to say for how many years (the security guarantees are) – we haven’t talked about it yet. Will certain guarantees be limited by certain timeframe, or no? It was very important for us for this to be voted for in Congress.”

10. ZELENSKIY AND SCHOOF SHAKING HANDS, LEAVING