Putin Angered by €90bn 'Message of Hope' for Ukraine from Europe

Dec 19, 2025 | "I don't think Russia will be happy with this message of hope."

Europe has secured €90bn worth of military backing for Ukraine to defend its territories against Russia in a "pivotal moment" for the war, says Estonian MP and chairman of Estonia's foreign affairs committee, Marko Mihkelson.

EU Leaders Agree on €90 billion Loan to Ukraine | DW News

Dec 19, 2025 | A marathon EU summit in Brussels has concluded with an agreement to support Ukraine with a massive loan in its war against Russia. EU leaders have agreed to provide Kyiv with 90 billion euros to meet its military and economic needs for the next two years. Repayment would only begin once Russia pays reparations to Ukraine after the war. Discussions continued into the early hours after an earlier plan to use frozen Russian assets fell through. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz labeled the new agreement as a "clear signal" to Russian leader Vladimir Putin. DW's Jack Parrock reports from Brussels.

Trump Is 'Away with the Fairies' So Europe Must Step Up

Dec 18, 2025 | "We in Europe have got to step up up but that’s going to be very expensive."

Europe has got to be ready to deal with "hooligan Russia" as Trump grows increasingly "flaky", says The Times's Matthew Parris.

Ukraine’s Fate Enters Crunch Time Today amid a ‘Monumental’ Decision | Sir Bill Browder

Dec 18, 2025 | Sir Bill Browder joins Times Radio’s Maddie Hale to discuss Vladimir Putin’s TV address where he accused European countries of “stoking the level of hysteria”, President Zelenskyy sends a stern message to the United States and EU leaders meet in Brussels to press Belgium to release tens of billions of euros in frozen Russian assets in order to provide Ukraine with the economic and military needs for the next two years.

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.

EU Commission Chief von der Leyen Says She Won't Leave Ukraine Summit unless a Deal Is In Place

Dec 18, 2025 | The leaders of the European Union member states are meeting to discuss the most important issues impacting the bloc. Financing for Ukraine is set to be the highlight of the talks, as the Trump administration in the US rolls back its support.

Putin’s Frozen Assets Could Bring Europe ‘to a Standstill’

Dec 13, 2025 | “If it were to fail, capital markets might come to a standstill.”

It would be risky for the Belgian securities depository Euroclear to seize Russian assets and give them to Ukraine to fund their war effort, as it could unbalance the European economy, says Belgian professor of financial law at KU Leuven University Veerle Colaert.

Anne Applebaum: Orbán Evidence of What a Determined, Anti-democratic Figure Can Do

Dec 19, 2023 | The Atlantic's Anne Applebaum discusses Hungary's PM Viktor Orbán blocking the EU's plan for further aid to Ukraine.

Orbán should be kicked out of the EU. Hungarians belong in the EU, but not under Orbán’s leadership. Orbán is one of Putin’s stooges. – © Mark Alexander