Thursday, December 18, 2025

EU Leaders Meet in Brussels to Discuss Russian Assets | BBC News

Dec 18, 2025 | European Union leaders are gathering for a Brussels summit where a momentous decision will be taken on whether to loan Ukraine tens of billions of euros in frozen Russian assets to fund its military and economic needs.

Most of Russia's €210bn (£185bn; $245bn) worth of assets in the EU are held by Belgium-based organisation Euroclear, and so far Belgium and some other members of the bloc have said they are opposed to using the cash.

Without a boost in funding, Ukraine's finances are set to run dry in a matter of months.

Russia has warned the EU against using its money, and has filed a lawsuit against Euroclear in a Moscow court in a bid to get its money back.