Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed hope in Brussels on Thursday that European Union leaders will move forward with a plan to provide Kyiv with new financial aid through a so-called “reparation loan.” It would be financed from the frozen assets of the Russian Central Bank, informs the TASR special correspondent.
- Ukrainian President Zelenskyy called on the EU for financial assistance.
- The proposed aid includes reparation loans from frozen Russian assets.
- The Belgian Prime Minister conditioned the support on specific requirements.
Zelensky: Moscow is very worried about the possibility that the Union will withdraw the initiative
“I hope that (leaders of the EU countries) will take a political decision, a positive decision, in any way to help Ukraine financially,” Zelenskyy declared at a press conference after the negotiations in the European Council. “Russia brought the war to our land, and therefore it must pay for this war,” he emphasized.
According to him, Moscow is “very worried” about the possibility that the Union will withdraw the initiative. The leaders are “closer to an agreement” on the loan, he noted.
Support for the plan is not yet certain – Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, arriving at the summit, said he would do “everything” to block it if his conditions were not met. The discussion on Ukraine was also interrupted for this point, and the leaders of the member countries are to return to it in the afternoon.
Zelenskyi does not know about the alleged 12-point peace plan
The European Commission has proposed that Russian assets frozen in Europe be used to provide a so-called “reparation loan” to Ukraine of 140 billion euros. EC President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that it is not about confiscating them, and Kiev would only repay the loan if Russia paid war reparations. Currently, only proceeds from frozen assets are used to support Ukraine.
At a press conference, Zelensky denied that he knew about the alleged 12-point peace plan, which, according to Bloomberg, is being prepared by Ukrainian and European officials. “Between us, I don’t know about the plan,” he said.
He noted that his “European friends are nervous” about the possibility of another country presenting a peace plan in the interest of Russia, which could be harmful to the interests of Kiev and Europe. He called for increased pressure on Moscow so that President Vladimir Putin would be willing to negotiate peace.
