European leaders, meeting Thursday in Brussels, decided to “move forward” with a plan to use interests from Russia’s frozen assets in the European Union to arm Ukraine. Other “innovative” forms of financing are also being studied, but differences remain, in particular on the launch of a major European loan.
European leaders, meeting Thursday March 21 in Brussels, timidly progressed on the path of increased military aid to Ukraine, after a new call for help from its president, and in the face of a Russian threat considered increasingly more worrying.
They decided on Thursday to “move forward” with a plan to use profits from Russia’s frozen assets in the European Union (EU) to arm Ukraine. The interest on these assets represents between 2.5 and 3 billion euros per year, according to the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell.
“We are determined to act very quickly so that we can use part of this money to support Ukraine,” said the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, at a press conference on Thursday evening.
But for Volodymyr Zelensky, time is running out. “Please do not waste the necessary time” to strengthen the defense industry, he asked.
This article is originally published on fr.news.yahoo.com
