Ukraine to Receive $33 Billion from Frozen Russian Assets in Europe

Ukraine is set to receive over $33 billion from Russian assets frozen in Europe, French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday. The decision was made following discussions at the Special European Council summit in Brussels, where European leaders reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine in its war against Russia.

Macron explained that the funds would come from Russian assets that were sanctioned and seized by European Union countries after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. He stated that the EU would allocate 30.6 billion euros from these frozen assets in 2025, with the primary goal of aiding Ukraine’s military efforts in the short term.

At the summit, 26 out of 27 EU nations endorsed a statement supporting a peace agreement that upholds Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. Hungary, however, abstained from the declaration. Despite this, all EU leaders collectively urged the European Commission to explore new ways to enhance defense spending across member states.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended the summit and expressed his gratitude to European leaders for their continued support. His participation came amid growing concerns over U.S. aid, as relations between Ukraine and former U.S. President Donald Trump remain uncertain.

The United States has recently paused military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, raising further concerns about the country’s ability to sustain its defenses. Officials from both nations are expected to meet in Saudi Arabia next week to discuss the situation and potential next steps.