BRUSSELS, Dec 18 (KUNA) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday urged European leaders to take a decision before the end of the current year on a plan to use frozen Russian assets to plug his country's budget gap.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of a European Union summit in Brussels, Zelensky said, "Our partners have been informed that the decision must be made by the end of this year," noting that European leaders had gathered to try to reach an agreement on the plan, which faces opposition from some countries, including Belgium.
The Ukrainian president stressed that EU leaders have the "moral" and legal right to use frozen Russian assets to fund Kyiv.
The European Union estimates that Ukraine needs additional financing amounting to 135 billion euros over the next two years to maintain its financial stability, with cash pressures expected to begin in April.
Zelensky said Kyiv needs a decision on its financing by the end of the year, adding that "Russian assets must be used to defend against Russian aggression and rebuild what was destroyed by Russian attacks. It's moral. It's fair. It's legal." (end) arn.gta