Hungarian Prime Minister and Putin's "friend" Orban in Brussels criticized the Western approach to supporting Kyiv, calling the hope for future reparations from Russia an illusion. He also stated that Hungary managed to avoid the risk of using frozen Russian assets.
EU leaders agreed on a plan to finance Ukraine through joint borrowing after 16 hours of negotiations. Politico named Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever as the main "winners" of the summit.
The European Commission has published a report on the visa suspension mechanism, with a special focus on Georgia. Brussels will gradually begin to restrict privileges for Georgian citizens, starting with holders of diplomatic passports.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held his first official meeting with Polish President Karol Navrotskyi in Warsaw. The leaders will discuss security, economic, and historical issues.
High-ranking Russian officials rejoiced after EU leaders failed to agree on using frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine. Instead, Kyiv will receive a €90 billion loan, while Russian funds remain blocked.
European Union leaders have not reached an agreement on using frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine. Discussions on providing a loan will continue on December 19 at the summit in Brussels.
Nearly 7,300 demonstrators and 1,000 tractors are present in Brussels' European Quarter to protest against the EU-Mercosur agreement. The demonstration marched through the streets of Brussels earlier in the day but was eventually dispersed.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever in Brussels. The main topic of discussion was the use of frozen Russian assets for the benefit of Ukraine, as well as coordination with Europe and the United States on the peace process.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in Brussels. The leaders discussed the coordination of positions regarding the negotiation process with Donald Trump's team and the importance of involving Europe to guarantee Ukraine's sovereignty.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in Brussels for the EU summit. The summit will address the issue of financing Ukraine and the use of frozen Russian assets.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the issue of using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's needs depends on the political will of partners. The President noted that these funds could be directed to support the Ukrainian army and defense production.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's plane was damaged at Brussels airport, rendering it unairworthy. Fico also expressed support for Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, who did not attend the summit, protesting against the EU's unfair treatment of Serbia.
Ursula von der Leyen criticized Donald Trump's attacks on Europe, calling for the continent's independence. She emphasized changes in the global economy and the need for its own path.
Orban announced that Moscow was preparing a "harsh response" to the EU's decision on the use of frozen Russian assets. He stated that he had personal communication with Vladimir Putin.
European Council President António Costa stated that the EU will not impose a reparation loan for Ukraine at the leaders' summit if Belgium opposes it. This is a departure from his previous position, where he noted that the scheme only required a qualified majority.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said that using frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine is a “far from easy” task. She emphasized the need for a strong legal basis and avoiding open-ended commitments for countries.
The European Commission is trying to persuade Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever to support a proposed loan to Ukraine, financed by immobilized Russian assets. De Wever expresses concerns about the risks to the Belgian economy if Russia tries to reclaim the assets.
The EU leaders' summit on Thursday will test whether the bloc can hold together or whether US President Donald Trump can divide it. Officials of the Trump administration have been pushing European governments to reject a plan to use 210 billion euros of Russian assets to finance Ukraine.
Hungary has blocked the European Union's enlargement statement, preventing Ukraine from starting EU accession negotiations. 26 EU member states support Ukraine, but Hungary did not support a positive assessment of its efforts.
The FCAS fifth-generation fighter jet program between France, Germany, and Spain has fallen into a deep crisis due to strategic disagreements. The project's implementation is now "very unlikely," and a decision on it will likely be postponed until 2026.
The European Parliament will fast-track consideration of a proposal for a reparations loan for Ukraine, which will be secured by European Commission borrowings against frozen Russian assets. The vote will take place at the plenary session in January 2026.
Belgium opposed the European Commission's proposals to unblock a €210 billion loan for Ukraine, financed by frozen Russian assets. This dashes the EU's hopes for a deal before the leaders' summit, as Belgium considers the guarantees provided insufficient.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that there is no agreement on the use of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine. He noted that the positions of Europe and the US on this issue differ significantly.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that frozen Russian assets totaling up to $210 billion are a financial security guarantee for Ukraine. He presented two scenarios for their use: for post-war reconstruction or for annual financial assistance of 40-45 billion euros for the Armed Forces of Ukraine in case of continued aggression.
Spain has fined Airbnb 64 million euros for advertising unlicensed apartments. This is part of the country's fight against housing unaffordability caused by tourist demand.
EU ambassadors in Brussels today are discussing the European Commission's amendments to the reparations loan proposal for financing Ukraine. These amendments aim to address the concerns of Belgium, as well as Italy, Bulgaria, and Malta, who are calling for alternative options.
The European Union is facing a critical week as it tries to protect Ukraine from an unfavorable peace deal imposed by the US and Russia, and to save a multi-billion euro loan financing agreement for Ukraine. EU leaders will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and American officials in Berlin to discuss a peace deal, and will also fight for support for the lending plan among European governments.
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo is convening a summit in Helsinki to develop concrete measures to strengthen EU defense. Leaders of eight countries will discuss cooperation and forming a common position to secure funding.
Ukraine has presented an updated peace plan that excludes the abandonment of Donbas and retains the right to join NATO. This proposal is a response to Donald Trump's 28-point plan, which caused shock in Europe.
The new Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Andrej Babiš, stated that the country would not guarantee financing for Ukraine. He noted that the Czech Republic needs funds for its citizens and is lobbying for the restoration of access to preferential loans under the SAFE program.
