Wed Dec 17 13:36:38 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a news article based on it:
Summary:
EU leaders are meeting to discuss using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine’s economic and military needs. While the European Commission supports the move, several member states, including Belgium and Italy, have reservations due to legal concerns and potential retaliation from Moscow. Meanwhile, Putin claims Russia will achieve its objectives in Ukraine, either through diplomacy or military means. The UK is moving forward with transferring funds from Roman Abramovich’s Chelsea FC sale to Ukrainian humanitarian causes. Fighting continues in eastern Ukraine with both sides claiming gains in the Kupiansk area.
News Article:
EU Divided Over Seizing Russian Assets to Aid Ukraine Amid Putin’s Assertions
Brussels – European Union leaders are convening for a crucial summit to decide on the potential use of frozen Russian assets, estimated at 210 billion euros, to bolster Ukraine’s economy and military. The move comes as Russia’s President Vladimir Putin reiterated his commitment to achieving Russia’s goals in Ukraine, either through diplomatic negotiations or military action.
While European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has strongly advocated for the measure, aiming to underwrite a 90 billion euro “reparations loan” to Ukraine, significant divisions exist within the 27-nation bloc. Several member states, including Belgium and Italy, have expressed serious reservations, citing concerns about the legal basis for seizing the assets and potential repercussions from Moscow, which could include retaliatory economic actions and a loss of investor confidence in European markets.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni acknowledged the difficulties in finding a legally sound way to utilize the frozen assets, emphasizing the need for a strong legal framework before proceeding.
Meanwhile, Putin has dismissed Western concerns about potential Russian aggression as “hysteria and a lie”, while reaffirming Moscow’s readiness to continue its military campaign in Ukraine if diplomatic efforts fail. He claimed that Russian forces had “liberated” 300 territories in the past year.
In contrast to the EU’s internal debate, the United Kingdom is taking decisive action, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer announcing the formal transfer of 2.5 billion pounds from the sale of Chelsea FC, formerly owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, to humanitarian causes in Ukraine.
On the ground, fighting remains intense in eastern Ukraine. Both Ukrainian and Russian forces claim to have made gains in the Kupiansk area, with conflicting reports on the extent of control. Russia continues to hold significant portions of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, much of the Donbas region, and parts of Kherson and Zaporizhia. Both sides have also intensified attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure.
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