‘Ukraine needs this money’ : Zelensky is in Brussels for talks on Russian assets

The European Union has imposed sanctions on an additional 41 vessels linked to Russia's shadow fleet, bringing the total number of sanctioned ships to nearly 600. This action is part of the EU's ongoing efforts to counter Russia's military aggression and economic activities that undermine international sanctions.

Discussions at the EU summit in Brussels are focused on the potential use of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine, with Ukrainian MP Lisa Yasko emphasizing the significance of this decision for Europe's leadership role. She stated that the outcome of the evening could reveal whether Europe can act decisively or if fear of Russia will prevail.

The Danish government has accused Russia of orchestrating two significant cyber-attacks, which the Danish Defence Intelligence Service (DDIS) describes as part of a hybrid war. These attacks targeted a Danish water utility in 2024 and involved distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks on various Danish websites ahead of municipal elections in November.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has labeled European leaders as 'piglets' seeking revenge against Russia, reflecting ongoing tensions between Russia and Europe. This statement comes amid a backdrop of escalating rhetoric and military posturing regarding the conflict in Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that Ukraine may need to reduce its drone production if a deal is not reached regarding the use of frozen Russian assets to support its war efforts. He emphasized the moral clarity of transferring these assets to fund Ukraine's military needs during a critical EU summit in Brussels.

EU leaders are in urgent discussions to secure a funding deal for Ukraine, emphasizing the critical choice between immediate financial support and the potential for increased conflict. The summit has highlighted the contentious proposal to utilize €210 billion of frozen Russian assets, with Belgium expressing reservations about the risks involved in such a scheme.

The European Union is deliberating on the potential loaning of tens of billions of euros from frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine's military and economic needs amid ongoing conflict. This decision follows a significant cash shortfall faced by Ukraine, estimated at approximately €135.7 billion over the next two years.

The city of Kharkiv, located just forty kilometers from the Russian border, continues to face regular air attacks from Russia. Despite the ongoing conflict, local authorities and communities are striving to provide children and teenagers with a semblance of normalcy in their lives, focusing on education and recreational activities.