EU Considers Funding Ukraine with Frozen Russian Assets
In a compelling address to the European Parliament on Thursday, November 13, 2025, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged EU member states to accept the use of frozen Russian assets as the main and most effective option for addressing Ukraine's financial needs, stating that this approach would best support Kyiv in the face of the ongoing war with Russia.
Von der Leyen outlined three main options for financing aid to Ukraine:
1 _ Utilizing surplus funds from the EU budget to meet urgent financial requirements.
2 _ Member states agreeing to raise capital independently to provide necessary funding.
3 _ Establishing a compensation loan based on frozen Russian assets, which she referred to as "the most effective" means to secure Ukraine's defense and economy.
In her speech, the European Commission President added:
"The third option involves granting Ukraine a loan backed by frozen Russian assets, which they will repay once Russia disburses compensation. This is the most effective way to ensure continued support for Kyiv without burdening the EU budget."
Von der Leyen's remarks came during a session of the European Parliament in Brussels, where discussions were underway regarding the multiannual financial framework for 2028-2034, as hostilities between Russia and Ukraine escalate and new international actors, including Kenya, announce their mediation efforts to resolve the conflict.
Her statements arrive at a time when the need for sustainable financing for Ukraine is increasing, while some European countries are hesitating to provide new aid due to internal economic pressures. The Commission is seeking solutions that balance support for Kyiv with the stability of EU budgets.
Von der Leyen emphasized that the EU remains committed to supporting Ukraine "for as long as necessary," underscoring that converting frozen Russian assets into a financing instrument is a fair and practical response to Russian aggression.
