Early morning: ‘Money today or blood tomorrow’
jacob grace
EU leaders are meeting in Brussels today for year-end talks in which a key decision will be taken on using frozen Russian assets to boost Ukraine’s defense against Russia.
The group of 27 countries is struggling to strengthen Kiev’s hand. donald trump As the four-year war approaches its end, there is a growing push for a quick agreement to end the fighting.
EU estimates Ukraine needs additional €135bn ($159bn) To remain operational for the next two years, the cash crunch is set to begin in April. To bridge the gap, the European Commission has put forward a plan to tap some €210bn of Russian central bank assets frozen in the bloc.
german chancellor Friedrich Merz Said that estate planning is necessary to increase the pressure Vladimir Putin and send “a clear signal to Russia.”
from poland donald tusk Went even further this morning, warning: “We have a simple choice: either money today, or blood tomorrow,” He added, “I’m not just talking about Ukraine, I’m talking about Europe.”
belgium, The house of Euroclear, which owns the majority of Russian assets, is leading an opposition faction asking questions about potential legal issues Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Italy, Malta, Slovakia Doubts are also being expressed.
technically It is not enough to stop the motion if a vote is called for under qualified majority rules, but political This makes it very awkward for everyone involved.
But no sign of agreement, As for the only other option – focusing on EU debt would require unanimity, and would be blocked HungaryWhich flatly refuses any additional help for Ukraine.
European officials have insisted that the Brussels talks will last as long as it takes to reach an agreement, Warned that Ukraine’s survival and Europe’s credibility are at stake.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen Said this morning that she would not leave the meeting before reaching an agreement. But the Slovak Prime Minister, Robert Fico, There was a joke earlier this week that they could keep him there until the New Year, and he wouldn’t even support it.
ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky In a last attempt to convince the critics, he has to attend the summit also.
I’ll be here to bring you all the major developments. but get ready for it long, long Day.
Its Thursday, 18 December 2025, Its jacob grace here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis Greece says it supports the idea of a compensation loan for Ukraine, and has joined a group of leaders saying “we should not leave Brussels without finding a solution,” adding that whatever decision is taken must be “legally correct.”
“Work continues to find a compromise,” says the EU’s von der Leyen.
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, It’s also very clear what she wants from this meeting, as she says “We have one ultimate goal in this European Council, and that is peace for Ukraine, Peace through power, And for this, Ukraine needs a secure funding for the next two years, 2026 and 2027.
She admits the talks will be “intense” But says, “For me, the most important part is that, at the end of the day, we have secured funding for Ukraine for the next two years.”
She makes a conciliatory comment saying She “fully supports Belgium’s demands and calls for sharing the risks of the reparation loan”.And says work to find a compromise is “ongoing.”
EU’s Costa says we will not leave without taking decisions to ensure Ukraine’s financial needs are met
President of the European Council Antonio Costa It is clear that negotiations will continue for as long as necessary to achieve agreement.
He wishes to maintain a largely neutral position, but says:
“What can I do for sure? We will work on it today, (and) if necessary tomorrow, but we will never leave the Council without a final decision. Ensuring Ukraine’s financial needs for 2026 and 2027.
Ireland’s Martin supports use of frozen Russian assets
Irish michael martin says he is A “very comprehensive” meeting is expected With updates on Ukraine peace talks and discussion on the use of frozen Russian assets.
“The ceasefire situation is very, very challenging, and to that is linked the future financing of Ukraine, and obviously there is the debate around fixed assets. “We are very much in favor of utilizing fixed assets.” He says.
He says the principle at stake is that “countries cannot simply destroy another country and expect others to pay to rebuild that country.”
“It is important that we get consensus today,” says Martin. As “It is important that Europe… (shows) unity today.”
He says He couldn’t predict what was going to happen with “certainty”, but he felt there was momentum behind the proposal to use frozen Russian assets.
Orban says idea of using frozen assets is ‘stupid’ and tantamount to ‘moving towards war’
Ukraine, the main opponent of sending any more money to Hungary Victor Orban, Told reporters in Brussels that the idea of using frozen Russian assets was “stupid”.
,the whole idea is stupid,,,There are two countries that are at war – it’s not the EU, (it’s) Russia and Ukraine – and the EU wants to take away the money of one of the warring parties and then give it to the other,
It is moving towards war. The Belgian Prime Minister is right, we should not do this.,
Early morning: ‘Money today or blood tomorrow’
jacob grace
EU leaders are meeting in Brussels today for year-end talks in which a key decision will be taken on using frozen Russian assets to boost Ukraine’s defense against Russia.
The group of 27 countries is struggling to strengthen Kiev’s hand. donald trump As the four-year war approaches its end, there is a growing push for a quick agreement to end the fighting.
EU estimates Ukraine needs additional €135bn ($159bn) To remain operational for the next two years, the cash crunch is set to begin in April. To bridge the gap, the European Commission has put forward a plan to tap some €210bn of Russian central bank assets frozen in the bloc.
german chancellor Friedrich Merz Said that estate planning is necessary to increase the pressure Vladimir Putin and send “a clear signal to Russia.”
from poland donald tusk Went even further this morning, warning: “We have a simple choice: either money today, or blood tomorrow,” He added, “I’m not just talking about Ukraine, I’m talking about Europe.”
belgium, The house of Euroclear, which owns the majority of Russian assets, is leading an opposition faction asking questions about potential legal issues Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Italy, Malta, Slovakia Doubts are also being expressed.
technically It is not enough to stop the motion if a vote is called for under qualified majority rules, but political This makes it very awkward for everyone involved.
But no sign of agreement, As for the only other option – focusing on EU debt would require unanimity, and would be blocked HungaryWhich flatly refuses any additional help for Ukraine.
European officials have insisted that the Brussels talks will last as long as it takes to reach an agreement, Warned that Ukraine’s survival and Europe’s credibility are at stake.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen Said this morning that she would not leave the meeting before reaching an agreement. But the Slovak Prime Minister, Robert Fico, There was a joke earlier this week that they could keep him there until the New Year, and he wouldn’t even support it.
ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky In a last attempt to convince the critics, he has to attend the summit also.
I’ll be here to bring you all the major developments. but get ready for it long, long Day.
Its Thursday, 18 December 2025, Its jacob grace here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
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