EU told to choose between ‘money today or blood tomorrow’ as leaders debate giving Russian assets to Ukraine – Europe live | Ukraine

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stressed that “we have not seen any willingness on the part of Russia to take action or talk seriously about peace.” While announcing the need to switch to a compensation loan to put more pressure on Moscow.

says The EU is working on proposals that will address Belgium’s concerns about “equal sharing of risk and burden”.

“I hope we get to the finish line. Putin expects us to fail, so we shouldn’t give him that.” he says.

He also states the practical argument: “compensation loan is currently the most affordable option, on the table, [and] “We need to work on this because we’ve tried other things before.”

says A decision on this would “send a strong signal to Russia” that the EU is ready to support Ukraine over the next two years, he said. Pressure is mounting for Moscow to come to the negotiating table.

Curiously, It appears to rule out the idea of ​​voting on the proposal without Belgium’s consent.

He says that “many member states say that Belgium’s consent is very important”. “I don’t think we will act without Belgium’s consent.”

says The chances of reaching an agreement are “50/50”.

President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen He expresses very clearly what he wants from this meeting: “We have only one ultimate goal in this European Council, and that is peace for Ukraine. peace through strength, and for this Ukraine needs to have secure funding for the next two years, 2026 and 2027.”

He acknowledged that talks would be “intense” but “the most important part for me is that we have finally secured Ukraine’s financing for the next two years,” he says.

Striking a conciliatory note, he says: “It fully supports Belgium’s demands and demands to share the risks of the compensation loan.”and says efforts to find compromise are “ongoing.”

President of the European Council Antonio Costa It is clear that talks will continue for as long as it takes to reach an agreement.

He tries to maintain a largely neutral stance but says this:

“That’s what I can be sure of We will work on this today, [and] Tomorrow, if necessary, but we will never leave the Council without a final decision. “Meeting Ukraine’s financial needs for 2026 and 2027.”

of ireland michael martin says it is I expect a “very comprehensive” meeting With an update on Ukrainian peace talks and a discussion of the use of frozen Russian assets.

“The ceasefire situation is very, very difficult, and the debate about Ukraine’s future financing and, of course, dormant assets is also linked to this. “We are in favor of using immobilized assets,” he said. he says.

The principle at stake, he says, is that “countries cannot destroy another country and expect others to pay the full cost of rebuilding that country.”

“It is important that we reach an agreement today,” says Martin “Europe is important… [shows] unity today.”

says He can’t “absolutely” predict what will happen, but he felt there was momentum behind the proposal to use frozen Russian assets.

Hungary is the main opponent for sending more money to Ukraine Viktor Orban, I just told journalists in Brussels that the idea of ​​using frozen Russian assets was “stupid.”

“The whole idea is stupid. … There are two countries at war; This is not the European Union, [it’s] Russia, Ukraine and the European Union want to take the money of one of the warring parties and give it to the other.

He’s walking towards war. The Belgian prime minister is right, we shouldn’t do this.”

Morning opening: ‘Today money, tomorrow blood’

Yakup Krupa

EU leaders are meeting in Brussels today for end-of-year talks to take a key decision on using frozen Russian assets to strengthen Ukraine’s defenses against Russia.

The 27-nation bloc is trying to strengthen Kiev’s hand. Donald Trump As the war approaches four years, he is pressing for a quick deal to end the conflict.

EU estimates Ukraine needs extra 135 billion euros ($159 billion) We aim to survive for the next two years, with the cash shortage starting in April. The European Commission has put forward a plan to release around 210 billion euros of Russian central bank assets frozen in the bloc to plug the deficit.

german chancellor Friedrich Merz He said the asset plan was necessary to increase the pressure on him. Vladimir Putin and send “a clear signal to Russia.”

of poland Donald Tusk This morning he went further and issued the following warning: “We have a simple choice: money today or blood tomorrow” He adds: “I’m not just talking about Ukraine, I’m talking about Europe.”

Belgium, The headquarters of Euroclear, which holds most of the Russian assets, is leading the opposition bloc to raise questions about potential legal issues. Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Italy, Malta, Slovakia He also expresses his doubts.

Technically It is not enough to block the offer In case of voting under qualified majority rules but politically It makes the situation very awkward for everyone involved.

But there’s no sign of compromise The only other option (focusing on EU debt) would require unanimity and would be blocked by the EU. HungaryHe flatly rejects further aid to Ukraine.

European officials insisted that Brussels talks would continue until an agreement was reached. He warned that Ukraine’s survival and Europe’s credibility were at stake.

president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen He said this morning that he would not leave the meeting until an agreement was reached. However, the Slovak prime minister Robert Fico, He joked earlier this week that they could keep him there until Christmas, but he won’t support that either.

president of ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy It is also a last resort to attend the summit to convince critics.

I will tell you all the important developments here. But be ready for something long, long day.

His Thursday, December 18, 2025, his Yakup Krupa here and this Europe Live.

Good morning.