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EU leaders are convening in the Belgian capital for end-of-year discussions with a key choice regarding using frozen Russian Federation assets to boost Ukraine’s defense in the war against Moscow.

“There is a simple option: it's funds today, or bloodshed in the future,” warned Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk. “I’m not talking about Ukraine only, I’m talking about the entire continent.”

The 27-nation union is working urgently to strengthen Kyiv’s hand while former U.S. President Donald Trump pushes for a rapid deal to halt the fighting as the war drags towards the fourth anniversary.

The Financial Crisis and the Proposed Plan

The EU estimates Ukraine needs an extra €135bn ($159bn) to remain solvent over the 2026 and 2027, with the funding shortfall set to start in the spring. To fill this hole, the EU's executive arm has put forward a scheme to access some €210bn of Moscow's state reserves seized in the bloc.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the assets plan was essential to increase the pressure on Vladimir Putin and send “a strong message to Russia.”

A Divided Union: Resistance and Juridical Concerns

However, a notable opposition bloc, spearheaded by Belgium—the home of the clearing house Euroclear, which holds the majority of the Russian assets—is voicing questions about possible juridical challenges. Countries including Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Italy, Malta, and Slovakia have also registered reservations.

From a procedural standpoint, this coalition may not be enough to block the plan should a vote be held under qualified majority voting procedures. Yet politically, it creates the process very awkward for all parties involved.

But there is little indication of compromise, as the only other option—relying on EU debt—would require unanimity, and would likely be blocked by Hungary, which categorically rejects any further assistance for Ukraine.

Officials' Statements Before the Negotiations

EU officials have insisted that the Brussels discussions will last for however long it takes to achieve an agreement, cautioning that the future of Ukraine and Europe’s credibility are at stake.

• Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the EU executive, declared she won’t leave the meeting until an agreement is concluded.
• In contrast, Slovak leader Robert Fico reportedly remarked that he could be kept until the New Year, and he would not back it.
• Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to join the meeting in a last-ditch effort to convince the critics.

Strong Opposition from Budapest

The Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán was uncompromising, labeling the idea of using seized assets “foolish” and amounting to “marching into the war.” He voiced agreement for Belgium’s wary stance.

Calls for Unity and a Resolution

Other leaders emphasized the urgency for a decision.

• António Costa, European Council president, pledged: “Negotiations will continue on this today, if it’s necessary tomorrow, but we will not depart from the Council without a conclusive agreement.”
• Kaja Kallas, the EU’s top diplomat, commented that efforts to allay Belgian worries and distribute the liability fairly were ongoing. She estimated the odds of a deal at “50/50.”
• Micheál Martin, the Irish Taoiseach, stated his country was “strongly in support” of using the frozen assets.

The scene is prepared for a possibly long and strained negotiation in the EU capital, with the fate of significant financial aid for Ukraine hanging in the balance.