European Union Finance Ministers Convene to Debate Accessing €140 Billion in Immobilized Russian Assets for Ukraine Funding

EU finance ministers are meeting in the EU capital this Thursday to address the bloc's economic agenda, featuring the increasingly urgent issue of funding for the Ukrainian government.

Ukraine's President States Nation's Existence Depends on Partners

Kyiv's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared in a latest discussion that Ukraine's existence depended on receiving additional financial aid from international partners.

“I hope, with luck, they will approve this decision,” he told media outlets. Otherwise, “We will have to find an alternative, it’s a question of our surviving. That’s why it is essential very much. We rely on partners.”

EU Commission Pushes for €140bn Reparations Loan

The European Commission continues to aim to convince member states – and Belgium, which is currently blocking the plan due to juridical concerns – to move ahead on a €140bn reparations loan using frozen Russian assets.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen emphasized this morning that this represents “the most effective way to support Ukraine’s defence and national finances.”

Decision Postponed Until Year-End Summit

A definitive resolution on the matter has been deferred until the European Council meeting in the last month, as the financial support needed early next year.

Talks Occur Amid Corruption Scandal in Kyiv

But these discussions come at a difficult time for Kyiv, as the president had to move to address rising popular anger in Ukraine regarding a corruption scandal in the energy sector, dismissing two ministers who are accused of participating in a large-scale bribery scheme.

Denmark's economic affairs minister Stephanie Lose was questioned on her reaction to the scandal, and insisted that there was determination to keep aiding Ukraine.

“Of course, Ukraine will have to persistently focus with reforms, strengthening all parts of the nation [and] that also applies to fighting graft … but there shouldn’t be any doubt that Europe stands firmly behind Ukraine,” she stated.

Additional EU Events Monitored

Separately, analysts will be monitoring the Netherlands where the parliament convenes to discuss possible directions in the coalition talks, Rome-Tirana discussions in the Italian capital offering the most recent opportunity to enjoy the remarkable Meloni-Rama dynamics, and a series of high-level conferences across Europe, including the Alliance's Mark Rutte’s visit to a German airbase.

Much to cover.

It’s November 13, 13 November 2025, and we bring you Europe Live.

Good morning.