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2025-12-18 16:49:53
[EU Summit Seeks Agreement on Using Russian Assets to Finance Ukraine] ⑴ EU leaders pledged at a summit in Brussels on Thursday to find funds to meet Ukraine's financing needs. ⑵ The meeting also pressured Belgium to abandon its opposition to the use of frozen Russian assets. ⑶ The EU is seeking to use €210 billion of Russian sovereign assets held at the European Clearing Bank to guarantee €90 billion in loans to Ukraine over the next two years. ⑷ The funds are intended to help Ukraine withstand external pressure and ensure Europe's key role in relevant peace negotiations, despite Russia's threats of a strong legal response. ⑸ EU officials expressed hope for an agreement before the summit, even if it meant holding meetings overnight. ⑹ The summit, originally scheduled to end on Friday, may be extended; European Council President Costa pledged to keep leaders in Brussels until an agreement is reached.
