The European Council this week ended with no agreement over using frozen Russian assets in Europe to collateralise them for a loan to Ukraine. Most of the €140 billion of Russian assets held in Belgian and French banks could be used to fund Ukraine and its reconstruction through these funds in a proposal which has been agreed to by all EU members except for Belgium which is blocking the proposal due to concerns about repercussions by Russia.
On the EU’s funds for Ukraine the EU Council is in agreement and President Zelensky had several bilateral meetings with European leaders including Prime Minister Meloni of Italy about ongoing military support. Italy is currently rolling out its second major military aid package of the year to Ukraine. President Zelensky also had a meeting with EU Council President António Costa over Ukraine’s EU membership bid. Following the European Council, President Zelensky traveled to London.
The European Council approved the 19th EU sanctions package against Russia this week.
Meanwhile, Russia has continued with its regular bombardment of Ukrainian cities and has bombed Kyiv with ballistic missiles as of early this morning. 3 civilians are currently being hospitalised following the attack.
Feature photo and video below shows a farmers’ market in Kyiv (by Yan Dobronosov).
Newsroom
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