Brussels wants the future loan granted to Kiev to be used only to purchase European weapons

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According to Reuters, Ukraine is urging European countries not to impose conditions on the use of the future €140 billion ($163 billion) loan backed by frozen Russian assets. Kiev wants to retain complete freedom to purchase weapons, including non-European ones, to finance reconstruction and to compensate war victims. The issue will be at the center of tomorrow's European summit, attended by Volodymyr Zelensky.

Brussels (strongly supported by Paris) wants the majority of the loan to be used to purchase Ukrainian and European equipment in order to support the continent's defense industries. But several states, particularly those in Central Europe, are calling for greater flexibility. The proposed compromise would allow a small portion of the funds to be allocated to the Ukrainian government's general budget, which could also be used for purchases outside Europe. Kiev fears that an overly rigid framework could delay the disbursement of funds or limit its ability to defend itself.

"Any conditionality weakens the principle of justice," said Iryna Mudra, Zelensky's legal adviser, arguing that "the victim must decide its priorities alone." Ukraine points out that certain American weapons, such as Patriot anti-aircraft systems, remain essential to its defense against Russian missile strikes. The government hopes that the loan will be operational by the end of 2025 in order to avoid a budget shortfall of $18 billion expected in 2026.

The European Union still has to overcome significant legal obstacles, particularly with regard to Belgium, where Russian assets are held via Euroclear. The proposed mechanism would not amount to confiscating these assets, which is prohibited under international law, but would use them as collateral for a loan that would be repaid when Russia pays reparations at the end of the war. Moscow denounces this as "illegal spoliation" and threatens retaliation.

The project marks a new stage in European support for Kyiv, at a time when member states are grappling with financial constraints and a partial US withdrawal since Donald Trump's return to the White House. Reuters

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