EU leaders split over using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine • FRANCE 24 English

To applause, Germany’s chancellor ramps up pressure on Vladimir Putin. With Europe’s split over seizing frozen Russian assets, Friedrich Mertz says delay only helps the Kremlin. [applause] >> It is about making clear to Russia that continuing this war of aggression is senseless. Making these assets usable would finance the Ukrainian army for at least two more years. According to our assessment, >> the European Commission proposes a 90 billion euro loan for Keev over 2 years using part of Russia’s frozen funds in Europe. Also expected at the summit, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zalinski. In his Wednesday nightly address, he urged Europe to move from debate to action. Security decisions are needed. Financial decisions are needed regarding Russian assets and political decisions are needed. Our partners need the courage to see the truth, acknowledge the truth, and act accordingly. >> But the EU’s plan is notably opposed by Belgium. >> We have three demands. >> European intelligence agencies say politicians and senior finance executives there have faced intimidation campaigns linked to Moscow. Belgian-based financial services company Euro Clear holds the bulk of Russia’s frozen central bank reserves and leaders fear retaliation if they move ahead. But analysts warn the EU’s credibility is on the line. In case Belgium is bypassed in such a critical question of of using Russian assets, this would have tremendous consequences because these are decisions on European security and the external policies which are decided by by unanimity. So that can send a huge precedent. >> Belgium says it will only sign on if other EU states holding Russian assets do the same. Moscow warns using its reserves would be theft and threatens retaliation.

EU leaders meet in Brussels to decide on using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine. Germany backs the move, while Zelensky urges action. The EU proposes a €90 billion loan, but Belgium opposes, fearing Russian retaliation. Moscow calls it theft.
#Ukraine #RussianAssets

🔔 Subscribe to France 24 now: https://f24.my/YTen
🔴 LIVE – Watch FRANCE 24 English 24/7 here: https://f24.my/YTliveEN

🌍 Read the latest International News and Top Stories: https://www.france24.com/en/

Like us on Facebook: https://f24.my/FBen
Follow us on X: https://f24.my/Xen
Bluesky: https://f24.my/BSen and Threads: https://f24.my/THen
Browse the news in pictures on Instagram: https://f24.my/IGen
Discover our TikTok videos: https://f24.my/TKen
Get the latest top stories on Telegram: https://f24.my/TGen

30 comments

  1. The EU looks very WEAK. Russia is at war with Europe, and it cannot (thank you Belgium) cannot move to get anything done. Russia is laughing at you.

  3. Ukraine 🇺🇦; we have used Russia's money against successfully hahahaha😅😅 Now we are ready to go into deal with Russia to end the war.
    Russia 🇷🇺; thanks Ukraine for your wise decisions backed by the EU but we won't go into deal until our money and assets are returned 😅

  5. It will beneficial for short term but in long term or even mentioning of this using other country assests lose the creditability from countries outside europian nations to trust europian nations

  6. This is pure theft, not metaphorically but literally. There are around $ 200 billion in assets parked in Russia, mostly belonging to Volkswagen, BP, and many other big names. In case Russia starts engaging in similar retaliation, just imagine the companies that usually spend so much money on political campaigns and enrich countries' economies; what will they do?Russia, in most probable case, will not do so because that would harm them too much, but I do not understand one thing: what will happen after two years?Already half of the Ukrainian army gone, so after two years, will Europe, those sissies, put their boots..If yes, then why not now? How these politicians have such tiny brains with so little grey matter, they cannot anticipate the future..

  8. Why are giving more money to people who can't even tell us where most of the last billions went to. Now we are stuck funding a war we clearly cannot afford and that shouldn't have happened in the first place, and which normal citizens want nothing to do with. Clearly our main goal should be trying to negotiate peace, but we seem hellbent on making this war lasts as long as possible

  16. Haha that's absolutely not possible. The EU is heavily dependent on many of the Russian exports and investments in the EU, something which is not possible to reinvest. Alternative suppliers are neither realistically available as well. The Russian frozen assets correspond to the credit line in actual currency (euros, dollars , etc) from which the EU pays to Russia for its exports. This evidences a monetary interest in the Ukrainian conflict, the Crimean Oil for instance.

  24. EU stealing sovereign assets is a golden move for BRICS.
    Germans will find a way to start WW3. It's just what those sick people are.

  27. I hope the EU knows that this will have long lasting consequences beyond just this war like no other country on earth will ever invest in them ever again. It will also domino into the Dollar losing its reserve currency statues as countries pull out.

  29. Russia stole Billions in Aircraft from western countries and took foreign company assets…I have No problem with EU taking russian money . slava ukraine

  30. Russia just seized 110 billion in European assets in Russia 😂. Europe just made the biggest financial mistake in modern history.

Comments are closed.