The European Union has decided to indefinitely freeze €210bn worth of Russia’s assets, so that Hungary and Slovakia, two countries with friendly relations with Moscow, cannot prevent billions of euros from being used to support Ukraine.
Hungary and Slovakia have opposed providing more support to Ukraine in the past, but Friday’s decision prevents them from blocking the sanctions rollover and makes it easier to use the assets.
The move also stops the assets, estimated to total around €210bn, from being used in any negotiations to end the war without European approval.
EU Council president António Costa said European leaders had committed in October “to keep Russian assets immobilised until Russia ends its war of aggression against Ukraine and compensates for the damage caused. Today we delivered on that commitment.”
A 28-point plan drafted by US and Russian envoys stipulated that the EU would release the frozen assets for use by Ukraine, Russia and the United States. That plan, which surfaced last month, was rejected by Ukraine and its backers in Europe.
EU set to indefinitely freeze Russia assets despite opposition from Putin’s allies
Interpreter cries as Ukrainian boy recalls mother’s death in Russian strike
Europe should prepare for war ‘like our grandparents endured’, warns Nato chief
Nine Russian athletes cleared to compete just weeks before Winter Olympics
Key Points
- EU agrees to indefinitely freeze Russian assets worth €210bn
- Nine North Korean soldiers killed in Russia's Kursk, says Kim Jong Un
- Trump says proposed free economic zone in Donbas would work
- Ukraine to join EU by 2027 under draft peace proposal, according to reports
More than 40 drones downed over Russia, according to officials there
08:00 , Tara CobhamMore than 40 drones have been downed over Russia, according to officials there.
Russia's Defence Ministry said it downed 41 drones overnight, 28 of which were over the Saratov region.
Two killed in Ukrainian drone strike on Russia's Saratov, local governor says
07:38 , Tara CobhamTwo people were killed overnight in a Ukrainian drone strike on the Russian city of Saratov, regional governor Roman Busargin said on Saturday.
In a statement on Telegram, Busargin said that the two people had been killed, along with an unspecified number of injured, in an attack on a residential building in the city.
Saratov, which is located on the Volga river around 625 km (388 miles) from the Ukrainian border, has come under repeated attack in recent years by drones targeting its local oil refinery and a major nearby airbase.
Ukrainian PM lauds EU's decision to freeze Russian assets
06:58 , Arpan RaiUkrainian prime minister Yulia Svyrydenko has praised the decision of European Union’s indefinite freeze on Russian central bank assets held in Europe as a "landmark step toward justice and accountability".
“This decision strengthens the foundation for the reparations loan mechanism and brings us closer to a future in which Russia pays for its crimes and destruction caused," she wrote.
EU leaders – the European Council – are to meet on 18 December to finalise details of the reparations loan and resolve remaining problems, which include guarantees from all EU governments for Belgium that it would not be left alone to foot the bill should a potential Moscow lawsuit prove successful.
EU agrees to indefinitely freeze Russian assets worth €210bn
06:34 , Arpan RaiThe European Union has agreed to indefinitely freeze Russian central bank assets held in Europe, removing a big obstacle to using the cash to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia.
A first big step, which EU governments agreed yesterday, is to immobilise €210bn ($246bn) worth of Russian sovereign assets for as long as needed instead of voting every six months on extending the asset freeze.
This removes the risk that Hungary and Slovakia, which have better relations with Moscow than other EU states, could refuse to roll over the freeze at some point, forcing the EU to return the money to Russia.
The EU wants to keep Ukraine financed and fighting as it sees Russia's invasion as a threat to its own security. To do so, EU states aim to put to work some of the Russian sovereign assets they immobilised after Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Watch: Interpreter cries as Ukrainian boy recalls mother’s death in Russian strike
06:19 , Arpan RaiIn photos: Kim Jong Un honours North Korean soldiers killed in Russia's Kursk
05:54 , Arpan Rai
Ukraine hits Russian oil infrastructure for second time in the Caspian sea
05:32 , Arpan RaiUkrainian drones have struck two Russian oil rigs in the Caspian Sea, according to a Ukrainian Security Service official.
The SBU drones reportedly hit the Filanovsky and Korchagin oil rigs, which both belong to Russia’s Lukoil.
Earlier this week, part of Russia’s largest Caspian oil field, the Filanovsky rig came under attack. This was the first attack during the war as Ukraine escalates its efforts to disrupt Russian oil and gas output.
The drones damaged critical equipment and suspended production, according to preliminary information from the source.
Nine North Korean soldiers killed in Russia's Kursk, says Kim Jong Un
04:59 , Arpan RaiKim Jong Un said nine North Korean soldiers were killed during a mission in Russia, describing their deaths as a "heartrending loss," and announced that the regiment would be awarded the Order of Freedom and Independence.
The North Korean dictator said the unit had been dispatched in early August and carried out combat and engineering tasks in the Kursk region of Russia during Moscow's war with Ukraine.
The nine fallen soldiers were awarded the title of Hero of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, along with other state honours, KCNA said.
The welcoming ceremony was held in Pyongyang yesterday and was attended by senior military officials, ruling party leaders, families of the soldiers and large crowds, according to the report.
In his speech, Kim said the regiment had cleared dangerous areas under combat conditions and demonstrated "absolute loyalty" to the party and the state. He also praised political indoctrination, discipline and unity among the troops, calling their performance a model for the armed forces.
Europe must be ready to deter Russia as ‘shadow of war’ looms, minister warns
04:56 , Arpan RaiEurope must be ready to deter Russia as the “shadow of war” looms, a minister has warned, echoing alarming words from the head of Nato.
Armed forces minister Al Carns said countries need to “increase our lethality” and stop outsourcing it to others.
His warning comes after Nato secretary general Mark Rutte called Europe “Russia’s next target” and said countries must prepare for a “scale of war our grandparents or great-grandparents endured”.
Europe must be ready to deter Russia as ‘shadow of war’ looms, minister warns
Kremlin official says Russian police and National Guard to stay in Ukraine's Donbas even after peace
04:37 , Arpan RaiA senior Kremlin official says that the Russian police and National Guard will remain in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas to oversee the prized industrial region, even if a peace settlement ends the nearly four-year war — a possibility that is likely to be rejected by Ukrainian officials as US-led negotiations drag on.
Moscow will give its blessing to a ceasefire only after Ukraine’s forces have withdrawn from the front line, Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov said in comments published Friday in Russian business daily Kommersant.
Ushakov told Kommersant “it’s entirely possible that there won’t be any troops (in the Donbas), either Russian or Ukrainian” in a postwar scenario.
Kremlin official says Russian police and National Guard to stay in Ukraine's Donbas even after peace
Ukraine, US and Europe still seeking common ground in peace talks, French official says
04:15 , Arpan RaiUkraine, the United States and European powers are still working to find a joint position that would outline the contours of a peace deal, including security guarantees for Kyiv, that could be taken to Russia, a French presidency official said.
“Our goal is to have a common foundation that is solid for negotiation. This common ground must unite Ukrainians, Americans and Europeans," the official told reporters in a briefing.
"It should allow us, together, to make a negotiating offer, a solid, lasting peace offer that respects international law and Ukraine’s sovereign interests, an offer that American negotiators are willing to bring to the Russians.
"The official said there was no joint document yet, but all sides would carry on negotiations in the coming days through various calls and meetings. He did not say whether Washington had set a deadline.
Kim Jong-Un hails troops returning from Russia mission
03:44 , Arpan RaiNorth Korean leader Kim Jong-Un attended a welcoming ceremony for an army engineering unit that had returned home after carrying out duties in Russia, the North's KCNA news agency reported this morning.
In a speech carried by KCNA, the North Korean dictator praised officers and soldiers of the 528th Regiment of Engineers of the Korean People's Army (KPA) for "heroic" conduct and "mass heroism" in fulfilling orders issued by the ruling Workers' Party of Korea during a 120-day overseas deployment.
KCNA said the unit had been dispatched in early August and carried out combat and engineering tasks in the Kursk region of Russia during Moscow's war with Ukraine.
Last month, Russia's defence ministry said North Korean troops who helped Russia repel a major Ukrainian incursion into its western Kursk region are now playing an important role in clearing the area of mines.
Watch: Vladimir Putin muted for 34 seconds as he gives major speech
03:34 , Arpan RaiTrump says proposed free economic zone in Donbas would work
03:24 , Arpan RaiDonald Trump has said a US-proposed free economic zone in the Ukraine-controlled parts of the eastern Donbas would work.
The US president did not share further details but his peace proposal to Russia and Ukraine has suggested creating such an economic zone as a compromise.
One dead in Russia's Saratov region after drone alert
03:13 , Arpan RaiAt least one person was killed and infrastructure was damaged in southern Russia's Saratov region after an air raid alert for drones was issued, regional governor Roman Busargin said in the early hours today.
Busargin gave no details of any strike, but earlier in the evening cited Russia's defence minister in issuing a warning of impending drone attacks in the region straddling the Volga River.
Trump's envoy Witkoff to travel to Berlin to meet with Zelensky and European leaders
02:54 , Arpan RaiUS envoy Steve Witkoff and president Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner will meet Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders in Berlin this weekend, a US official briefed on the matter said.
Witkoff will also meet with his counterparts from France, Britain and Germany tomorrow and on Monday, the official added.
The Wall Street Journal was first to report the meeting.
The choice to send Witkoff, who has led negotiations with Ukraine and Russia regarding a US peace proposal, highlights Washington's growing urgency to bridge remaining gaps with Kyiv over the plan's terms.
French president Emmanuel Macron, UK prime minister Keir Starmer and German chancellor Friedrich Merz were also expected to attend, the WSJ said.
On Thursday, the White House said Trump would only send an official to the meeting if he felt there was enough progress to be made in peace talks.
Ukraine to join EU by 2027 under draft peace proposal, according to reports
02:00 , Shaheena UddinA peace proposal presented as part of US-mediated discussions on the Russia-Ukraine conflict could see Ukraine slated to join the European Union by 1 January 2027, according to the Financial Times.
The proposal is being negotiated between US and Ukrainian officials with the help of the EU, according to sources briefed with the document’s contents.
Watch: Trump says US will attend Ukraine peace talks with Europe
01:00 , Shaheena UddinRussian luge team plans to participate in World Cup race next week despite Ukraine's objections
00:00 , Shaheena UddinSix Russian athletes from their nation’s luge team are planning to participate in the World Cup in Lake Placid, New York next week. This move comes despite Ukrainians strongly objecting.
They have told the International Luge Federation that they have obtained their visas to travel to the US.
They hope to qualify for the Milan Cortina Olympics coming up in February.
However, Russia is not racing at this weekend’s World cup luge competition, despite some claims that they would participate.
Russia has not competed in a World cup luge race since the war began nearly four years ago.
Two bobsledders and seven skeleton sliders from Russia have also been cleared by their sports federations to compete soon too in a list that was published on Friday.
Russian police and National Guard will remain in Ukraine's Donbas postwar
Friday 12 December 2025 23:00 , Shaheena UddinA senior Kremlin official has reported on Friday that Russian police and National Guard wil remain in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region in order to oversee the industry-rich area, even if a peace settlement ends the nearly four-year long war in Ukraine.
The comments come from Yuri Ushakov and showcase Moscow's ambition to maintain its presence in Donbas post-war. Ukraine is likely to reject such a stance as U.S.-led negotiations continue.
Ukraine hits Russian oil infrastructure for second time in the Caspian sea
Friday 12 December 2025 22:45 , Shaheena UddinUkrainian drones have struck two Russian oil rigs in the Caspian Sea, according to a UkrainianSecurity Service official on Friday.
The SBU drones reportedly hit the Filanovsky and Korchagin oil rigs, which both belong to Russia’s Lukoil LKOH.MM.
Earlier this week, part of Russia’s largest Caspian oil field, the Filanovsky rig came under attack. This was the first attack during the war as Ukraine escalates its efforts to disrupt Russian oil and gas output.
The drones damaged critical equipment and suspended production, according to preliminary information from the source.
Turkey warns of Black Sea escalation after Turkish ship damaged in Ukraine
Friday 12 December 2025 22:25 , Shaheena UddinTurkey called for an urgent end to the nearly four-year long war between Russia and Ukraine after a Turkish-owned cargo vessel was damaged in an attack on Ukraine’s Chornomorsk port. They said the incident posed risks to the Black Sea maritime security.
The country’s capital, Ankara, called for a suspension of attack targeting navigation safety “to prevent escalation” in the region.
Cenk Denizcilik, operator of the roll-on/roll-off vessel M/V CENK T, said the ship, carrying food supplies, was hit by an air attack shortly after berthing at around 1600 local time, igniting a fire in its forward section.
Pictured: Destroyed residential buildings behind a church in Kostyantynivka
Friday 12 December 2025 22:00 , Daniel Keane
Ukraine, US and Europe still seeking common ground in peace talks
Friday 12 December 2025 21:55 , Shaheena UddinUkraine, the US and Europe are still looking to iron out the details of a peace deal which will include guarantees for Kyiv, to take to Russia, according to a French presidency official on Friday.
"Our goal is to have a common foundation that is solid for negotiation. This common ground must unite Ukrainians, Americans and Europeans," the official told reporters in a briefing.
"It should allow us, together, to make a negotiating offer, a solid, lasting peace offer that respects international law and Ukraine’s sovereign interests, an offer that American negotiators are willing to bring to the Russians."
No joint document has been signed yet but negotiations will continue in the coming days.
Currently Kyiv is under pressure from the Trump administration to accept a quick peace, but Ukraine is pushing back on giving up swathes of territory to Moscow or abandoning its ambition to become a part of NATO.
How does the Russian army compare with Nato?
Friday 12 December 2025 21:00 , Daniel KeaneThe Russian army has swollen to a mammoth 1.32 million active personnel over the course of the war, despite sustaining heavy losses on the battlefield. That figure eclipses any standing army on the continent.
War has allowed Putin to legislate for three expansions of his army since 2022. He aims to build the second biggest army in the world, after China, with a regular army of 1.5 million, up to 2.38 million including reserves.
Together, Nato can field 3.14 million active personnel and 2.75 million reserves, totalling 5.89 million personnel.
The bloc has more than 14,000 tanks and around 21,000 aircraft.
Russia can currently draw on around 2 million reserves, totalling around 3.32 million. It has some 12,000 tanks and nearly 4,500 aircraft. Both sides have nuclear weapons.
We will work with the UK to ensure Ukraine stays free, says Belgian PM
Friday 12 December 2025 20:00 , Daniel KeaneBelgian PM Bart De Wever said "we and the UK will work together" to "get the certainty that Ukraine will stay free" while on a visit to Downing Street on Friday.
The Belgian prime minister said: "Our relationship with the UK is much older than the European Union. It goes back to the Middle Ages.
"You have always been our ally, always been our friend. There's never been an English soldier in an unfriendly manner on our soil."
EU indefinitely freezes Russia's assets to support for Ukraine
Friday 12 December 2025 19:00 , Shaheena UddinThe European Union on Friday decided to indefinitely freeze Russia’s assets, so that Hungary and Slovakia, two countries with friendly relations with Moscow, can’t prevent billions of euros from being used to support Ukraine.
A special procedure, usually reserved for economic emergencies, was used to block the Russian assets until Russia gives up on the four-year war against Ukraine and compensates its neighbour for damage.
EU Council President António Costa said European leaders had committed in October “to keep Russian assets immobilized until Russia ends its war of aggression against Ukraine and compensates for the damage caused. Today we delivered on that commitment.”
The move also stops the assets, estimated to total around 210 billion euros ($247 billion), from being used in any negotiations to end the war without European approval.
A 28-point plan drafted by U.S. and Russian envoys stipulated that the EU would release the frozen assets for use by Ukraine, Russia and the United States. That plan, which surfaced last month, was rejected by Ukraine and its backers in Europe.
Hungary and Slovakia oppose providing more support to Ukraine, but Friday’s decision prevents them from blocking the sanctions rollover and make it easier to use the assets.
Watch: Ukrainian sea drone hits Russian shadow fleet tanker in Black Sea
Friday 12 December 2025 18:00 , Daniel KeaneWhat is the EU's plan to use frozen Russian assets for Ukraine?
Friday 12 December 2025 17:00 , Daniel KeaneEurope has floated an unprecedented use of frozen Russian assets to raise some £80bn for Ukraine to cover its struggling military and put pressure on Putin to end the war.
The money would support military costs and help cover basic services crippled by nearly four years of conflict.
Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, estimated the loan would cover two-thirds of Ukraine’s funding needs for the next two years. Other partners could cover the rest, she said.
Britain also holds about £25bn of frozen Russian assets and is looking to coordinate with EU states to tap the assets. Some €290bn (£250bn) were frozen in the West after Russia’s full-scale invasion.
My colleague James C. Reynolds has more details below.
How the EU plans to use £80bn of frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine’s war effort
President Volodymyr Zelensky’s top representative Rustem Umerov held secret talks with FBI director Kash Patel and his deputy Dan Bongino according to the Washington Post.
Officials worry that Ukrainian representatives could be seeking an amnesty from corruption allegations, while others are suspicious the discussions could be used to exert pressure on Ukraine to accept a peace deal.
Olha Stefanishyna, Ukrainian Ambassador to Washington, confirmed Umerov’s meeting with the FBI, telling the publication he “only covered national security related issues” that could not be publicly disclosed.
An FBI official said the discussion focused on shared law enforcement and national security and white collar corruption was not the main focus despite it being mentioned and called other theories as to the purpose of the meeting “complete nonsense”.
A White House official said: “U.S. officials regularly communicate with world leaders about national security issues of shared interest.”
They added that those concerned “are not privy to these diplomatic conversations and have no idea what they are talking about.”
A representative of Zelensky’s office declined to comment on specific meetings but said “it is stupid to link everything to ‘corruption.’”
FBI held secret talks with Ukrainian negotiators
Friday 12 December 2025 16:40 , Maira ButtPresident Volodymyr Zelensky’s top representative Rustem Umerov held secret talks with FBI director Kash Patel and his deputy Dan Bongino according to the Washington Post.
Officials worry that Ukrainian representatives could be seeking an amnesty from corruption allegations, while others are suspicious the discussions could be used to exert pressure on Ukraine to accept a peace deal.
Olha Stefanishyna, Ukrainian Ambassador to Washington, confirmed Umerov’s meeting with the FBI, telling the publication he “only covered national security related issues” that could not be publicly disclosed.
An FBI official said the discussion focused on shared law enforcement and national security and white collar corruption was not the main focus despite it being mentioned and called other theories as to the purpose of the meeting “complete nonsense”.
A White House official said: “U.S. officials regularly communicate with world leaders about national security issues of shared interest.”
They added that those concerned “are not privy to these diplomatic conversations and have no idea what they are talking about.”
A representative of Zelensky’s office declined to comment on specific meetings but said “it is stupid to link everything to ‘corruption.’”
Flamingo missiles could punch through Russia's air defences, says report
Friday 12 December 2025 16:00 , Daniel KeaneUkraine's domestically produced “Flamingo” missiles could deal a crushing blow to Russia's air defences, a new report has claimed.
The report, from the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), says there are "significant vulnerabilities" Moscow's most important air defence systems that can be exploited by Kyiv’s domestic missile.
Kyiv says that it’s Flamingo missile has a range of 3,000km and a 1,150kg warhead.
The report claims that Ukraine could use the missiles to deal significant damage to Russia’s Pantsir air defence system, “ironically resulting in limiting Russia’s ability to defend other targets over the course of 2026”.
"These are but a fraction of the points of vulnerability identified in Russia’s integrated air defence production," it adds.
Kremlin says Russian police will remain in Donbas under peace deal
Friday 12 December 2025 15:25 , Daniel KeaneA senior Kremlin official says that the Russian police and National Guard will remain in eastern Ukraine's Donbas even if a peace settlement ends the nearly four-year war.
It is a possibility that is likely to be rejected by Ukrainian officials as US-led negotiations for peace drag on.
Moscow will give its blessing to a ceasefire only after Ukraine's forces have withdrawn from the front line, Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov said in comments published in Russian business daily Kommersant.
Mr Ushakov told Kommersant: "It's entirely possible that there won't be any troops (in the Donbas), either Russian or Ukrainian" in a post-war scenario.”
But he said that "there will be the National Guard, our police, everything necessary to maintain order and organise life".
Zelensky appears at Kupiansk frontline after Ukrainian troops regain territory
Friday 12 December 2025 15:00 , Maira ButtPresident Volodymyr Zelensky made an appearance at the frontline in Kupiansk on Friday, where Ukrainian troops say they have retaken key parts of the town as well as surrounding villages.
“Today, it is extremely important to achieve results on the front lines so that Ukraine can achieve results in diplomacy,” he said wearing a bulletproof vest in a video of him in front of the city’s entrance.
Vessel on fire after Russian attack on Ukraine's Odesa region
Friday 12 December 2025 14:48 , Daniel KeaneA civilian vessel caught fire after a Russian attack on Ukraine' southern Odesa region port hub on Friday, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
They gave no additional details. Ukraine's airforce reported missile and drone attacks on the region.
Starmer to discuss unlocking frozen Russian assets with Belgian leader
Friday 12 December 2025 14:40 , Daniel KeaneSir Keir Starmer will discuss using frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine in a meeting with the Belgian premier amid resistance in Brussels to the move.
The Prime Minister is expected to host Bart De Wever on Friday afternoon for Downing Street talks which will also cover migration and economic growth.
Britain has said it is ready to move in tandem with the EU to unlock immobilised Russian sovereign assets, the vast majority of which are held in Belgium, to support Kyiv financially.
But Brussels has opposed the move, citing legal and financial risks.
Asked what the Prime Minister's message was to European countries who may be nervous about using assets ahead of Friday's meeting, Sir Keir's official spokesman said: "We're continuing work with our European partners to make use of the value of Russian sovereign assets immobilised in our jurisdictions."
Watch: Trump says US will attend Ukraine peace talks with Europe
Friday 12 December 2025 14:20 , Daniel KeaneFull story: Europe must be ready to deter Russia as ‘shadow of war’ looms, minister warns
Friday 12 December 2025 14:00 , Maira ButtEurope must be ready to deter Russia as the “shadow of war” looms, a minister has warned, echoing alarming words from the head of Nato.
Armed forces minister Al Carns said countries need to “increase our lethality” and stop outsourcing it to others.
His warning comes after Nato secretary general Mark Rutte called Europe “Russia’s next target” and said countries must prepare for a “scale of war our grandparents or great-grandparents endured”.
Europe must be ready to deter Russia as ‘shadow of war’ looms, minister warns
Driscoll cut out of Ukraine talks, according to reports
Friday 12 December 2025 13:40 , Maira ButtUS army secretary Dan Driscoll has reportedly been sidelined from peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, according to reports.
Driscoll has played a leading role in negotiations but has been “reeled in”, sources told the Telegraph.
“He was seen to be exerting himself a bit too much, and he had his hand slapped,” one person said, suggesting that US secretary of war, Pete Hegseth, who has been at the centre of several controversies himself, was behind the move.
Ukraine to join EU by 2027 under draft peace proposal, according to reports
Friday 12 December 2025 13:20 , Maira ButtA peace proposal presented as part of US-mediated discussions on the Russia-Ukraine conflict could see Ukraine slated to join the European Union by 1 January 2027, according to the Financial Times.
The proposal is being negotiated between US and Ukrainian officials with the help of the EU, according to sources briefed with the document’s contents.
Trump issues WW3 warning if 'everyone keeps playing games'
Friday 12 December 2025 13:00 , Maira ButtPresident Donald Trump has warned that the Ukraine conflict could lead to World War Three, in a dire warning to reporters at the White House on Thursday.
“Things like this end up in third world wars. And I told that the other day, I said, 'You know, everybody keeps playing games like this, you'll end up in a third world war.' And we don't want to see that happen,” he said.
Ukraine retakes parts of Kupiansk and several villages, according to military
Friday 12 December 2025 12:37 , Maira ButtUkraine has regained parts of the northeastern town of Kupiansk and several surrounding villages, according to Ukraine’s military commander.
In a statement on Friday, Ihor Obolienskyi commander of the Khartiia Corps of the National Guard, said the operation consisted of the encircling of Russian troops.
“Today, we can say that the Russians in the city are completely cut off. For a long time, they couldn't understand what was happening. But now they know they are surrounded,” he said.
In November, Russia said it had taken full control of Kupiansk, a claim that Ukraine denied.
Decision on frozen Russian assets expected at EU summit today, say sources
Friday 12 December 2025 12:00 , Maira ButtA decision on frozen Russian assets is expected to be announced at a EU summit on Friday, according to Reuters.
Germany has said it sees no alternative to a reparations loan to Ukraine using the 210 billion euros worth of assets and will shoulder 50 billion in guarantees.
A source added that a lack of agreement would “send a disastrous signal to Ukraine”.
