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12-19-2025, 11:35 AM
European Union leaders reached a deal early Friday on a $105 billion loan to keep Ukraine’s economy and military from a budgetary blackhole through 2027. While it didn’t come about in the way some of them wanted, the fact it came about at all has been hailed by top officials as a win for the bloc.
“Had we left Brussels divided today, Europe would have walked away from geopolitical relevance,” Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever told reporters a little before 4 a.m. “It would have been a total disaster.”
Some of the leaders had hoped to agree on a controversial proposal to use billions in frozen Russian funds to fund Ukraine, but that plan was shelved due to opposition from Belgium and other countries. Instead, EU leaders opted to borrow the money from investors for a loan to Ukraine while reserving the right to use the Russian assets in the future. Under the deal, Kyiv will not have to pay back the money until Russia pays reparations at the end of the conflict.
The funds unlocked by the loan will be welcomed in Kyiv as it battles to hold off Russian battlefield gains while negotiating with Washington over a plan to end the war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had warned that a failure to provide finding for Ukraine would mean the country would not have enough money “for life and weapons.”He hailed the 11th-hour breakthrough Friday.
“This is significant support that truly strengthens our resilience,” Zelensky wrote on X. “It is important that Russian assets remain immobilized and that Ukraine has received a financial security guarantee for the coming years. Thank you for the result and for unity.”
European leaders also took aim at Moscow.
“The message we are sending to Russia today is crystal-clear,” European Council President Antonio Costa said. “First, you have not achieved your objectives in Ukraine. Second, Europe stands with Ukraine, today, tomorrow and as long as necessary.”
“Had we left Brussels divided today, Europe would have walked away from geopolitical relevance,” Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever told reporters a little before 4 a.m. “It would have been a total disaster.”
Some of the leaders had hoped to agree on a controversial proposal to use billions in frozen Russian funds to fund Ukraine, but that plan was shelved due to opposition from Belgium and other countries. Instead, EU leaders opted to borrow the money from investors for a loan to Ukraine while reserving the right to use the Russian assets in the future. Under the deal, Kyiv will not have to pay back the money until Russia pays reparations at the end of the conflict.
The funds unlocked by the loan will be welcomed in Kyiv as it battles to hold off Russian battlefield gains while negotiating with Washington over a plan to end the war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had warned that a failure to provide finding for Ukraine would mean the country would not have enough money “for life and weapons.”He hailed the 11th-hour breakthrough Friday.
“This is significant support that truly strengthens our resilience,” Zelensky wrote on X. “It is important that Russian assets remain immobilized and that Ukraine has received a financial security guarantee for the coming years. Thank you for the result and for unity.”
European leaders also took aim at Moscow.
“The message we are sending to Russia today is crystal-clear,” European Council President Antonio Costa said. “First, you have not achieved your objectives in Ukraine. Second, Europe stands with Ukraine, today, tomorrow and as long as necessary.”
