{
  "id": 14547328,
  "title": "Sybiha: Frozen Russian Assets Should Fund Ukraine’s Rising Defense Costs, Not EU Taxpayers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/sybiha-frozen-russian-assets-should-fund-ukraines-rising-defense",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-14T22:09:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "UATV English",
    "slug": "uatv-english",
    "url": "https://uatv.ua/en/sybiha-frozen-russian-assets-should-fund-ukraine-s-rising-defense-costs-not-eu-taxpayers/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has argued that frozen Russian assets should be utilized to cover the escalating defense expenses of Ukraine, rather than relying on European taxpayers, according to an interview with Politico, as reported by UATV English. The foreign minister emphasized that supporting Ukraine's defense expenses is crucial for the nation's security and resilience, but stressed that the financial responsibility should not be placed on its allies. Sybiha highlighted that the complete utilization of frozen Russian assets is a pivotal step that could bolster Ukraine's military capabilities and hasten the attainment of a just peace. He stated, \"Russia must pay for the war, and the rising costs of Ukraine's defense must be financed with Russian assets, not European taxpayers' money. Delaying a decision on the use of frozen Russian assets plays into Moscow's hands.\" The minister added that the use of these assets, in conjunction with intensified sanctions, could potentially shift the power dynamics in favor of Ukraine. He stressed that the necessary legal frameworks for this exist, and emphasized that Russian assets must be employed in accordance with international law. Sybiha's comments follow ongoing deliberations among Ukraine's allies regarding the optimal use of frozen Russian sovereign assets to bolster Kyiv and maintain pressure on Moscow. British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has recently urged European nations to reconsider their stance, expressing the United Kingdom's willingness to collaborate with the European Union on further measures involving Russia's frozen assets and more stringent sanctions.",
  "summary": "Ukraine’s rising defense costs should be covered by frozen Russian assets rather than European taxpayers, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said in an interview with Politico , UATV English reports. Sybiha stressed that funding Ukraine’s defense needs remains essential to the country’s security and resilience, but argued that the financial burden should not fall on its allies. According to…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}