“ Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that the final decision on the transfer of frozen Russian assets to Ukraine should be made at the summit of the European Council in December 2025. However, reaching a consensus is hindered by Belgium, which fears sole responsibility, and traditional opposition from Hungary. Source: Tusk during a press briefing on Thursday evening, Ukrinform reports Details: According to Tusk, discussions within the European Union on this issue are still ongoing. The key obstacle is the position of Belgium, on whose territory, in particular, in financial institutions, the largest part of the frozen assets of the Russian Federation, including the funds of the Central Bank, is stored. Belgium insists on the need for careful legal preparation of such an unprecedented step. Tusk’s direct speech: “Belgium is afraid that it will bear all the responsibility. Therefore, we are trying to convince our Belgian friends that we are ready to build a mechanism of common European responsibility. Of course, as always, Viktor Orban is against this, as well as against all decisions regarding Ukraine.” Details: He noted that it is too early to talk about full agreement between Belgium and Luxembourg, but emphasized that there is “some progress” in the negotiations. The Polish Prime Minister emphasized the critical importance of moving from words to action to ensure Ukraine’s financial stability. “The European Council will be held in December, and this should be the final deadline for making a decision: yes or no. Ukraine will not win this war or protect itself from Russia without financial support,” the head of the Polish government said, adding that “there are few alternative sources of funding.” Tusk emphasized that the confiscation of Russian money to finance the defense and reconstruction of Ukraine is a fair step, and expressed hope that all EU member states would agree. Background: Belgium’s position was previously voiced by the country’s prime minister, Bart de Wever, who set red lines regarding the use of Russian assets to finance a €140 billion “reparation loan” to Ukraine, including an agreement that EU countries should share all current and future risks associated with this plan for an amount exceeding €170 billion. Currently, the European Union is working on an initiative that will allow to unlock about 185 billion euros of frozen assets of the Russian Central Bank. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, proposed a “reparation loan” model for Ukraine. This mechanism does not involve the confiscation of the assets themselves, but the use of the profits obtained from them to provide a loan to Ukraine. At the last meeting of the European Council, the leaders of the EU member states confirmed their commitment to meet Ukraine’s financial needs over the next two years, including military and defense support. The next summit of the Eurocouncil, where the final decision on assets is expected, will be held in Brussels on December 11-12.”, — write: www.pravda.com.ua
Donald Tusk. Photo: Getty Images Source: Tusk during a press briefing on Thursday evening, conveys “Ukrinform“
Details: According to Tusk, discussions within the European Union on this issue are still ongoing. The key obstacle is the position of Belgium, on whose territory, in particular, in financial institutions, the largest part of the frozen assets of the Russian Federation, including the funds of the Central Bank, is stored. Belgium insists on the need for careful legal preparation of such an unprecedented step.
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Tusk’s direct speech: “Belgium is afraid that it will bear all the responsibility. Therefore, we are trying to convince our Belgian friends that we are ready to build a mechanism of common European responsibility. Of course, as always, Viktor Orban is against this, as well as against all decisions regarding Ukraine.”
Details: He noted that it is still too early to talk about the full agreement of Belgium and Luxembourg, but emphasized that there is “some progress” in the negotiations. The Polish Prime Minister emphasized the critical importance of moving from words to action to ensure Ukraine’s financial stability.
“The European Council will be held in December, and this should be the final deadline for making a decision: yes or no. Ukraine will not win this war or defend itself from Russia without financial support,” the head of the Polish government said, adding that “there are few alternative sources of funding.”
Tusk emphasized that the confiscation of Russian money to finance the defense and reconstruction of Ukraine is a fair step, and expressed hope that all EU member states would agree.
Prehistory:
- The position of Belgium was previously announced by the Prime Minister of the country, Bart de Wever, who established red lines regarding the use of Russian assets to finance a “reparation loan” to Ukraine in the amount of 140 billion euros, including an agreement that EU countries should share all current and future risks associated with this plan for an amount exceeding 170 billion euros.
- Currently, the European Union is working on an initiative that will allow to unlock about 185 billion euros of frozen assets of the Russian Central Bank. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, proposed a “reparation loan” model for Ukraine. This mechanism does not involve the confiscation of the assets themselves, but the use of the profits obtained from them to provide a loan to Ukraine.
- At the last meeting of the European Council, the leaders of the EU member states confirmed the commitment meet Ukraine’s financial needs over the next two years, including military and defense support.
- The next summit of the Eurocouncil, where the final decision on assets is expected, will be held in Brussels on December 11-12.