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.
EU diplomats are trying to find a compromise on financial aid to Ukraine ahead of the bloc's leaders' summit. Options being considered include a loan based on frozen Russian assets or joint EU debt.
The European Parliament has voted for a scheme that would allow women from countries with restrictive abortion laws to have free abortions in another EU member state. The European Commission is expected to decide on this proposal in March.
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.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the possibility of financial support for Ukraine through the issuance of joint EU debt, as an alternative to using frozen Russian sovereign assets. This comes ahead of a meeting of EU leaders where ways to finance Ukraine will be discussed amid its expected deficit of 135 billion euros by 2027.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban criticized the EU's initiative to use frozen Russian assets, calling it dangerous and equating it to a declaration of war, and also accused European leaders of a misguided financial approach to supporting Ukraine.
Italy, Belgium, Malta, and Bulgaria have opposed the EU's plan to transfer 210 billion euros of frozen Russian assets to Ukraine. They are calling on the European Commission to consider alternative options for financial assistance, such as joint EU debt.
Cyprus and Malta warn that strengthening sanctions against Russia should not harm the legitimate EU maritime sector. They oppose a complete ban on the provision of maritime services, fearing the relocation of business outside the EU.
The Italian parliament unanimously approved a law on femicide, which provides for life imprisonment for the murder of a woman on the basis of gender. This decision was a response to the high-profile murder of Giulia Cecchettin, which caused mass protests and demands for changes in society.
Eurostat has published data for the first half of 2025, showing a significant gap in electricity and natural gas prices between European countries. Some countries pay several times more than their neighbors.
A number of European countries will receive additional support from the EU to overcome the growing migration burden. The new mechanism will become operational after the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum comes into force in mid-2026.
UNN offers a selection of 5 films about prehistoric culture, covering events from 480 BC to 2022. Among them are "300 Spartans", "Troy", "The First King of Rome", "Gods of Egypt" and "The Northman", which can be watched in your free time.
A vessel with migrants capsized near Malta. 11 people were rescued, the body of one deceased person was found, and about 20 are considered missing.
In the second quarter of 2025, renewable energy sources generated 54% of the EU's clean electricity, surpassing last year's figure. Solar energy became the largest source of electricity in the EU in June 2025.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will provide $90 million to the Palestinian Authority, as announced by Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan. This funding is part of the International Coalition to Support Palestine, founded by Riyadh.
Ukraine, the EU, and 36 countries jointly called on Russia to stop the killings and start negotiations with Ukraine. The statement was made at the UN on September 23, 2025.
Despite some European countries recognizing the Palestinian state, Israel assures that it will not cease hostilities in Gaza until Hamas releases the hostages.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas stated that Hamas will have no role in governing Palestine. He called for complete demilitarization and elections within a year after a ceasefire.
Malta officially recognized Palestinian statehood, emphasizing support for a two-state solution and the exclusion of Hamas from a future government. Prime Minister Robert Abela announced this at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly.
Donald Trump introduced the "Golden Card" and the Trump Platinum Card, which allow obtaining a residence permit and work in the USA for investments ranging from 1 to 5 million dollars. This initiative is expected to attract over 100 billion dollars to the American budget.
This summer, severe weather conditions in Europe caused short-term economic losses of at least €43 billion. By 2029, these losses are expected to increase to €126 billion.
Vladyslav Vlasiuk, the Commissioner of the President of Ukraine, called for systemic sanctions pressure on Russia's shadow fleet. He emphasized the need to control oil transshipments at sea and restrict tankers' access to ports of third countries.
A six-year-old Ukrainian refugee died in a Padua hospital after a road accident at a pedestrian crossing near Venice. The boy, who fled the war, had been in critical condition for two days.
Kyiv's Dynamo lost to Cypriot Pafos with a score of 2:0 in the second leg of the third qualifying round of the Champions League. Dynamo will continue its performance in the Europa League, where it will meet the winner of the Maccabi (Tel Aviv) – Hamrun Spartans pair.
An international coalition, led by Canada and Ukraine, called on Russia to unconditionally return abducted Ukrainian children. 38 countries, the Council of Europe, and the EU signed a joint statement, emphasizing the violation of international law.
