Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has once again voiced frustration with the pace of Western financial and military support, accusing his allies-particularly within the European Union-of dragging their feet despite lofty pledges. Speaking to Ukrainian ambassadors on July 21, Zelensky pointed to the EU’s newly launched €150 billion ($175 billion) SAFE fund as a critical source of potential aid that remains largely untapped.

His remarks come as Europe grapples with growing political and economic fatigue over the prolonged conflict in Ukraine. More than two years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, the initial solidarity that saw billions in military and humanitarian aid pour into Kyiv is showing signs of erosion. As Zelensky’s requests for faster disbursement of funds mount, so too does resistance within the EU and NATO-highlighting widening fissures in what was once seen as a united Western front.

Zelensky’s reference to the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) fund underscores his growing exasperation with the gap between rhetoric and reality. Introduced in May, SAFE was touted as a cornerstone of the EU’s broader €800 billion military investment strategy, designed to boost defense capabilities across the bloc in response to perceived Russian aggression. The initiative offers member states low-interest loans for domestic defense buildup or joint weapons procurement, but it is not a direct aid package for Ukraine.

“The EU has opened access to €150 billion. Member states can assume obligations to draw these funds and then transfer them to Ukraine,” Zelensky said,........

© Blitz