EU Proposes Utilizing Frozen Russian Assets to Support Ukraine
In a significant address to the European Parliament, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called on EU member states on Thursday, November 13, 2025, to consider utilizing frozen Russian assets as a primary and more effective means of addressing Ukraine's financial needs, highlighting it as a crucial support mechanism in the ongoing war with Russia.
Von der Leyen outlined three primary funding options for assisting Ukraine:
1 _ Utilizing surplus funds from the EU budget to meet urgent financial requirements.
2 _ Member states independently raising capital to provide necessary funding.
3 _ Securing a compensation loan linked to frozen Russian assets, which she characterized as the “most effective” method for sustaining Ukraine’s defense and economic stability.
In her remarks, the European Commission President stated:
"The third option involves granting Ukraine a loan backed by frozen Russian assets, to be repaid once Russia fulfills its compensation obligations. This approach allows us to support Kyiv without placing additional strain on the EU budget."
Von der Leyen's comments were made during a European Parliament session in Brussels focused on the multiannual financial framework for 2028-2034, amid intensifying hostilities between Russia and Ukraine, and the emergence of new international actors, including Kenya, which has initiated mediation efforts to resolve the conflict.
The urgency of Von der Leyen's proposal arises as the demand for sustainable funding for Ukraine grows, particularly as some European nations are scaling back on new aid due to domestic economic challenges. The European Commission is actively seeking solutions that balance ongoing support for Kyiv with the need to maintain EU budgetary stability.
Von der Leyen reaffirmed the EU's commitment to supporting Ukraine "for as long as necessary," asserting that repurposing frozen Russian assets as a funding source is a fair and pragmatic response to Russian aggression.
