Military Support to Ukraine and Russia's Frozen Assets to Be Discussed at EU Summit – European Council Head

Wednesday, 25 October 2023

Charles Michel, President of the European Council, in his letter of invitation to the EU leaders, has written that ways to accelerate the provision of military support to Ukraine, the use of frozen assets of Russia, and the strengthening of the EU's diplomatic work to ensure a just peace are to be discussed at the summit in Brussels, which will be held on 26-27 October.

"Our meeting comes at a time of great global instability and insecurity, exacerbated most recently by developments in the Middle East. These developments require our immediate attention, without distracting us from our continued support to Ukraine," Charles Michel's invitation letter reads.

He emphasised that "we will continue our unwavering support [of Ukraine] for as long as it takes".

"Among the various facets of our assistance, I would like us to address in particular ways to accelerate the delivery of military support, progress in our plans on the use of Russia’s immobilised assets, and intensify our diplomatic outreach to ensure the widest international support for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace," Michel said.

On 24 October, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged EU member states to employ Belgium's experience of the use of frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine.

Belgium created a special fund to support Ukraine for EUR 1.7 billion, filled from taxation of Russian assets frozen in the country.

Meanwhile, the European Union still cannot find a solution regarding the allocation of a tranche of EUR 500 million from the fund that supports countries that help Ukraine with weapons because of Hungary’s blockade.

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