Zelensky Arrives in Brussels as EU Leaders Edge Toward a Decision on Frozen Russian Assets
The Ukrainian president is holding a string of meetings on the sidelines of this week's European Council summit, pressing EU leaders for a reparations loan built on frozen Russian funds as Kyiv faces a financing gap of 45 billion dollars or more next year.
President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Brussels this week for a European Council summit and a series of bilateral meetings, including with NATO's secretary general, the president of France, the prime ministers of Poland, Denmark and Belgium, King Philippe, and the leaders of the European Council and European Commission. Talks with the prime ministers of Hungary, Finland and Sweden were also on his schedule.
The visit comes as Ukraine's government says it faces a financing gap of 45 billion dollars or more for 2026 and 2027, and Zelensky has pushed EU leaders to commit to a reparations loan funded by roughly 210 billion euros in frozen Russian central bank assets, most of it held through the Brussels based clearing house Euroclear. He has said most leaders back that approach, while others favor different financing instruments, and that Europe agrees Ukraine should not be left without clarity on next year's budget.
Belgium presses for a legal framework before any payout
Leaders reached what Zelensky described as a political decision on using the frozen assets during the summit, though officials say a binding, practical arrangement is still due by the end of the year. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has repeated that his government wants a legal framework and a shared liability structure in place first, reflecting Belgium's exposure as the country where most of the frozen funds physically sit.
Beyond financing, Zelensky's agenda in Brussels covers continued pressure on Russia to end the war, additional defense support for Ukraine, and the state of its EU accession talks. He has also signed a decree approving a national human rights strategy meant to align Ukraine with the European Union's membership requirements, and has said publicly that only sustained unity among Ukraine, the United States and Europe can stop Russian aggression, while voicing concern over recent decisions in Washington affecting Starlink access.
