Zelensky Expresses Hope for Positive EU Decision on Russian Asset Use
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed hope that the European Union will move forward with plans to utilize frozen Russian assets to fund a new 'reparations loan' for Ukraine.
BRUSSELS: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed optimism on Thursday regarding the European Union's (EU) intentions to help Ukraine through a significant financial aid package funded by frozen Russian assets.
During his meeting with EU leaders in Brussels, discussions centered around providing Kyiv with approximately 140 billion euros ($162 billion) over the coming years to support its ongoing war against Russia.Zelensky expressed his hope for a positive decision from the EU regarding this matter during a press conference following the meeting.
The proposed 'reparations loan' scheme suggested by the European Commission involves Ukraine repaying the funds only after receiving compensation from Russia for the damages caused by the conflict.However, several legal and political complexities surround this plan.
Belgium, where most of the frozen assets are held, has demanded assurances that other EU member states will share potential liabilities if Russia were to take the matter to court.
EU officials anticipate that the bloc's 27 leaders will grant a preliminary approval on Thursday for the Commission to draft a formal legal proposal for the loan.Zelensky emphasized the constructive nature of the discussions held and expressed his reliance on the decisions made regarding this topic.
He reiterated Ukraine's stance that Russia is responsible for causing the war and should bear the costs associated with it.In response to a question about his meeting with US President Donald Trump last week, which was described by Ukrainian officials as 'tense', Zelensky downplayed its outcome, stating that despite not securing long-range Tomahawk missiles, the meeting resulted in US sanctions on Russia's energy sector.
He remained hopeful about potential future developments and did not rule out the possibility of obtaining the desired military aid.The idea of a summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin was briefly considered following their phone call but was subsequently shelved this week due to Washington's disappointment over the lack of progress in ceasefire negotiations with Moscow, leading to sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies.
During his meeting with EU leaders in Brussels, discussions centered around providing Kyiv with approximately 140 billion euros ($162 billion) over the coming years to support its ongoing war against Russia.Zelensky expressed his hope for a positive decision from the EU regarding this matter during a press conference following the meeting.
The proposed 'reparations loan' scheme suggested by the European Commission involves Ukraine repaying the funds only after receiving compensation from Russia for the damages caused by the conflict.However, several legal and political complexities surround this plan.
Belgium, where most of the frozen assets are held, has demanded assurances that other EU member states will share potential liabilities if Russia were to take the matter to court.
EU officials anticipate that the bloc's 27 leaders will grant a preliminary approval on Thursday for the Commission to draft a formal legal proposal for the loan.Zelensky emphasized the constructive nature of the discussions held and expressed his reliance on the decisions made regarding this topic.
He reiterated Ukraine's stance that Russia is responsible for causing the war and should bear the costs associated with it.In response to a question about his meeting with US President Donald Trump last week, which was described by Ukrainian officials as 'tense', Zelensky downplayed its outcome, stating that despite not securing long-range Tomahawk missiles, the meeting resulted in US sanctions on Russia's energy sector.
He remained hopeful about potential future developments and did not rule out the possibility of obtaining the desired military aid.The idea of a summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin was briefly considered following their phone call but was subsequently shelved this week due to Washington's disappointment over the lack of progress in ceasefire negotiations with Moscow, leading to sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies.
