Brussels

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever will hold talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the use of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. Belgium expresses concerns about legal aspects and potential risks for its taxpayers.

EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius stated that the European Union must develop its own peace plan for Ukraine, without relying on US initiatives. This is due to the fact that Europe was "caught off guard" by a 28-point peace plan developed by American Trump negotiators together with the Russians without the participation of the EU.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz canceled a trip to Oslo to persuade Belgium to support a €165 billion "reparation loan" to Ukraine. The loan is proposed to be secured by frozen Russian state assets located in Belgium.

Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Andriy Hnatov flew to the United States. They will hold talks with the American delegation on the peace plan, Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced.

The US is pressuring Greece regarding its contribution to the PURL initiative, where NATO allies purchase weapons for Ukraine. Athens has not made any announcements regarding participation, citing financial constraints.

Polish Foreign Minister Sikorski, after a meeting with his European counterparts, stated that the NATO-Russia Council no longer exists.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated that it was premature for the country to participate in the NATO program for purchasing American weapons for Ukraine due to peace talks. This indicates a change in the strategy of Giorgia Meloni's government regarding Ukraine.

Norway, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, and Canada announced funding for support packages for American weapons for Ukraine totaling over a billion dollars. Canada and Great Britain are also providing additional practical assistance.

Rustem Umerov and Andriy Hnatov will hold meetings with national security advisors to European leaders in Brussels. They will inform about US contacts in Moscow and discuss the security architecture.

NATO countries are demanding a say on the alliance's role in a future peace agreement with Ukraine, having previously been excluded from negotiations. NATO foreign ministers will meet in Brussels to discuss the outlines of a peace plan.

The planned meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Brussels has been canceled. This happened after their negotiations with Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

A high-ranking NATO diplomat stated that the Russian army is incapable of attacking EU countries. This was a response to Vladimir Putin's threats about Russia's readiness for war with Europe.

Three people, including former Vice-President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini, have been detained in Belgium on suspicion of fraud involving EU funds. The investigation concerns alleged favoritism in the European External Action Service's awarding of a program to the College of Europe.

The European defense sector grew by 13. 8% in 2024, reaching a turnover of €183.4 billion. This growth is a result of increased defense budgets following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Belgian police conducted searches at the EU diplomatic service in Brussels and the College of Europe in Bruges, as well as at private residences. This occurred as part of an investigation into the alleged misuse of EU funds in 2021 and 2022, with three individuals arrested.

The European Central Bank has rejected participation in the European Commission's proposal to use frozen Russian assets. This complicates the attraction of a loan secured by the immobilized assets of the Russian central bank.

The European Commission is actively, though not publicly, participating in peace consultations on Ukraine, maintaining constant contact with Kyiv and the United States. Brussels ensures that the EU's interests are taken into account in the discussions and supports Ukraine's sovereignty.

The Netherlands is providing Ukraine with a new military aid package worth 250 million euros through the PURL initiative. The funds will be used to purchase American weapons, including air defense systems and F-16 ammunition.

EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas stated that this week could be crucial for diplomacy regarding ending the war in Ukraine. This comes amid negotiations between US representatives and the Ukrainian delegation, and their trip to Moscow.

United States Secretary of State Rubio is likely to miss the December 3 NATO meeting in Brussels. This raises concerns amid negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.

EU countries are increasing pressure on Belgium to unblock 140 billion euros of frozen Russian reserves. Belgium is accused of concealing information about tax revenues received from these assets.

The European Parliament proposes raising the minimum age for social media access to 16, and for teenagers aged 13-16, allowing access only with parental consent. It also proposes limiting addiction-inducing features and strengthening advertising rules.

EU countries are working on a "plan B" in case they cannot reach an agreement on seizing frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine.

EU leaders will be briefed this morning on peace talks to end the war in Ukraine after a weekend of rapid negotiations in Geneva. Officials have become more optimistic about peace, although details were scarce.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban called on the EU to immediately support the US's 28-point proposal for a settlement in Ukraine, which includes territorial concessions and a reduction in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Most EU countries refuse, supporting Ukraine, while Hungary blocks financial aid.

European diplomats and officials are expressing outrage over a new US peace plan that could derail efforts to provide financial assistance to Ukraine. Trump's proposed plan involves using frozen Russian assets to rebuild Ukraine after a truce, which contradicts EU plans to use these funds for a loan to Kyiv.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen plans to discuss the 28-point US peace plan with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This conversation will take place after the plan's announcement and its discussion with European leaders and G20 leaders.

European countries have expressed their position on a possible US peace plan for Ukraine and Russia, developed in secret. Most emphasize the need to involve Ukraine and Europe in any peace agreements.

Kallas stated that the European Union's ties with Beijing limit the bloc's ability to effectively pressure China regarding its support for Russia in the war in Ukraine.

The European Commission has launched an investigation into Amazon and Microsoft's cloud services to determine whether they should be subject to the Digital Markets Act. A decision is expected within 12 months, and if the conclusion is positive, the companies will have six months to comply with the requirements.