EU Economic Leaders Gather to Discuss Unlocking €140bn in Frozen Russian Assets for Ukraine Support
EU economic leaders are meeting in Brussels this Thursday to tackle the bloc's financial agenda, including the pressing question of funding for Ukraine.
Zelenskyy States Nation's Existence Depends on Partners
Kyiv's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared in a recent interview that Ukraine's existence depended on receiving additional financial aid from allies.
“We trust, with luck, we will get the necessary funding,” he told reporters. If not, “We will have to find another solution, it’s a question of our survival. For this reason it is essential very much. We rely on partners.”
European Authorities Pushes for €140 Billion Reparations Loan
The EU executive still hopes to convince participating countries – and Belgium, which continues to bloc the plan due to legal fears – to move ahead on a €140 billion reparations loan using frozen Russian assets.
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen emphasized today that this represents “the optimal method to sustain Ukraine’s defence and its economy.”
Resolution Delayed Until December Summit
A definitive resolution on the issue has been postponed till the EU leaders’s summit in December, as the financial support needed at the start of the coming year.
Talks Coincide with Corruption Scandal in Ukraine
But these discussions come at a difficult moment for Ukraine, as the president had to move to address rising popular anger in the country over a bribery incident in the energy sector, firing two ministers who are accused of participating in a large-scale corruption network.
Danish finance leader Stephanie Lose was questioned on her response to the scandal, and insisted that there was determination to keep aiding the Ukrainian people.
“Of course, Ukraine will have to continuously work with reforms, strengthening every sector of the nation [and] that also applies to anti-corruption … but it is clear that there’s a strong European support behind Ukraine,” she stated.
Additional EU Developments Monitored
Separately, observers will be keeping an eye on Holland where the parliament meets to discuss potential ways ahead in the coalition talks, the Italy-Albania consultations in the Italian capital offering the most recent opportunity to enjoy the remarkable Meloni-Rama dynamics, and a series of top-tier meetings across Europe, including Nato’s Mark Rutte’s trip to a military installation in Germany.
Lots for us to report on.
Today is Thursday, 13 November 2025, and we bring you Europe Live.
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