Europe News
With reparations loan for Ukraine, the EU defies both Putin and Trump
The European Union is defying external pressure from Washington and Moscow to get a seat at the table by leveraging the immobilised Russian assets held in its jurisdiction. The move is bold, but carries many questions.
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Europe News
Von der Leyen pushes ahead with reparations loan as Belgium holds firm
Ursula von der Leyen has offered sweeping guarantees for Belgium to agree to an unprecedented reparations loan for Ukraine. Belgian authorities say risks could be fatal. EU leaders will gather on 18 December to make a final decision. If no deal is found, the EU will resort to joint debt.
Europe News
EU weighs Plan B for Ukraine as Belgium raises bar on reparations loan
Belgian Prime Minister De Wever lashed out at plans for a reparations loan in a strongly worded letter to Ursula von der Leyen, calling it dangerous and wrong. European officials are seriously considering a bridge loan as clock ticks for the December summit. Belgian resistance is seen as entrenched.
Europe News
Belgian prime minister doubles down on opposition to reparations loan
Hopes to secure a reparations loan for Ukraine have been dashed after the Belgian prime minister blasted the proposal as "fundamentally wrong" and called on the EU to raise fresh debt instead of touching the Russian assets.
Europe News
Von der Leyen urges EU countries to plug €135 billion gap for Ukraine
Von der Leyen sends a letter to member states calling for a fast agreement on how to fund Ukraine's enormous €135 billion budget hole for next year and 2027. EU leaders will meet for a make-or-break summit in December.
Europe News
Von der Leyen lays out alternatives to reparations loan for Ukraine
Ursula von der Leyen has outlined a plan B to fund Ukraine should the reparations loan pegged to the Russian assets fail. The loan is still seen as the best option to keep the financing going even if Belgium plays hardball.
Belgium
Is the EU spy unit coming? Von der Leyen wants her own secret service
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen plans to create an intelligence service using data from member states, aiming to expand its operational use and increase her influence, according to international media reports.
Europe News
Von der Leyen offers minor concessions on EU budget to placate MEPs
Ursula von der Leyen has proposed changes to her €2 trillion EU budget to empower regional authorities and protect financing for rural areas. The tweaks look to stave off a parliamentary rebellion after a week of tensions.
Europe News
Europeans largely skip Latin American summit under Trump's shadow
Top European leadership is set to skip the EU-CELAC summit on Sunday marked by tensions between the United States and Colombia. Donald Trump is also pursuing an aggressive policy on Venezuela, with Nicolás Maduro in focus. Europeans cite low attendance to cancel summit participation.
Europe News
Nordic leaders rule out debt, insist on Russian assets to aid Ukraine
The prospect of issuing new joint debt at a European level to support Ukraine leaves Nordic leaders cold. They insist financing should come from Russian assets as the Commission looks for options to break the deadlock.