The European Union has announced plans to indefinitely freeze Russian assets held within the bloc, in a move aimed at ensuring up to $246 billion in Russian funds remain in EU jurisdictions, officials said on Friday.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas confirmed the decision on X, stating that the freeze will remain in place unless Russia fully compensates Ukraine for the damages caused by its war of aggression.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the move as a "strong signal" to Moscow, signalling that the financial costs of the war will continue to rise. European Council President António Costa added that the decision honours commitments made during the October European Council meeting to keep Russian assets immobilised until the conflict ends and reparations are paid.
The bloc plans to use the frozen funds to support Ukraine, with an estimated 90 billion dollars potentially available, either through direct borrowing or via assets held at Euroclear, Belgium’s main depository for frozen Russian funds.
Belgium, however, has expressed concerns over the proposal, citing potential legal challenges, financial liability and warning that moving too quickly could undermine fragile diplomatic channels aimed at ending the conflict. The Belgian government has sought amendments to the EU Commission’s initial plan to mitigate these risks and provide stronger protection for Euroclear.
Russia’s central bank denounced the plan as illegal and warned it may pursue legal action to contest the use of its frozen assets.
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Polls have close in Bangladesh's first general election since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s political transition. Turnout reached 47.91% by early afternoon, according to partial data from election authorities.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday (11 February) that his government will only hold national elections once a ceasefire with Russia is in place and security guarantees are secured, pushing back at suggestions of fresh ballots under pressure from international partners.
Stalled U.S.–Iran talks and mounting regional tensions are exposing a growing strategic rift between Washington and Tel Aviv over how to confront Tehran, political analyst James M. Dorsey says, exposing stark differences in approach at a critical moment.
Türkiye and Greece signalled renewed political will to ease long-standing tensions during high-level talks in Ankara on Wednesday (11 February). Maritime borders, migration and trade topped the agenda as both leaders struck a cautiously optimistic tone.
The United States and Azerbaijan signed a strategic partnership in Baku on Tuesday (10 February) encompassing economic and security cooperation as Washington seeks to expand its influence in a region where Russia was once the main power broker.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis arrived in Ankara on Wednesday, where Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held an official welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace, marking the start of high-level talks between the two NATO allies.
A senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader said on Tuesday that negotiations with the United States must remain focused on the nuclear issue and be grounded in realism, as Washington and Tehran prepare to resume talks mediated by Oman.
Russia has begun slowing down the Telegram messaging application, with Roskomnadzor, Russia’s federal communications regulator, set to implement partial restrictions from 10 February, following a wave of fines and administrative cases accusing the platform of hosting illegal content.
China became Brazil’s largest source of imported vehicles in January, overtaking long-time leader Argentina in a shift that underscores Beijing’s rapidly expanding influence in one of Latin America’s biggest auto markets.
Polls have close in Bangladesh's first general election since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s political transition. Turnout reached 47.91% by early afternoon, according to partial data from election authorities.
Stalled U.S.–Iran talks and mounting regional tensions are exposing a growing strategic rift between Washington and Tel Aviv over how to confront Tehran, political analyst James M. Dorsey says, exposing stark differences in approach at a critical moment.
A Republican lawmaker accused on Wednesday (11 February) Attorney General Pam Bondi of concealing the names of Jeffrey Epstein’s powerful associates. The claim was made during a heated House hearing on the Justice Department’s handling of the files.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 12th of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The Ukrainian capital came under a “massive” Russian missile attack early Thursday (12 February), with explosions heard across the capital according to authorities. The assault unfolded as uncertainty lingers over upcoming U.S.-brokered peace talks.
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