Key facts
- EU leaders are debating using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine's war effort.
- Ukraine faces a potential shortfall of billions of euros in funding for the next year.
- Two ships were hit by air drones near Romanian waters, prompting NATO talks.
- Some EU nations, including Sweden, Finland, and Germany, support re-examining the use of frozen assets.
- Belgium opposes the direct use of frozen Russian assets due to legal concerns.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to appeal for increased aid at an EU summit in Brussels, as leaders grapple with a potential funding shortfall for Kyiv's war effort. The summit is marked by tensions over financial commitments and concerns that recent US actions, such as opening markets to Russian diesel, could benefit Russia. Several EU nations, including Sweden, Finland, and Germany, are pushing to reconsider the use of hundreds of billions of euros in frozen Russian assets held in European banks to support Ukraine. However, Belgium, where the bulk of these assets are held, has expressed reservations due to legal action concerns. The drone attack on two ships near Romanian waters has heightened security concerns among allies.