EU Blinks on Using Frozen Russian Billions to Arm Ukraine

European Union leaders have agreed to a plan to send money to Ukraine from frozen Russian assets. However, they stopped short of a more direct move that Kyiv and its allies wanted. The deal, confirmed on Thursday, will see profits from the frozen Russian state funds sent to Ukraine. This could provide billions for weapons and reconstruction. The assets were frozen after Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. The agreement is a significant political step, showing continued EU support. Yet, it also reveals hesitation. A more powerful option was on the table: using the assets themselves as collateral to raise massive loans for Ukraine immediately. This idea, pushed by the U.S., U.K., and Ukraine, was rejected. Key EU members, concerned about legal risks and financial stability, argued against it. Instead, the EU chose a slower, less risky path. Only the ongoing profits from the assets will be used, not the principal amount. Most of the money will go to buy military supplies. The decision shows Europe's commitment is strong, but not without limits. As one diplomat summarized the debate, "When it came to using the frozen assets as direct leverage, the EU blinked."