The European Union faces a critical decision on how to finance Ukraine’s war effort, divided over whether to use frozen Russian assets or jointly borrow funds through 2027.
Political analyst Enrique Cocero explains the stakes, the EU’s internal divisions, and the potential role of the U.S.
As EU leaders meet in Brussels, the bloc must decide how to sustain Ukraine financially during the ongoing war.
Speaking to AnewZ, political analyst Enrique Cocero said, “The main issue here is not funding Ukraine as much as Europe assuming the conscience of self-defence.”
He emphasised that the conflict is no longer just a Russia–Ukraine war, but a direct threat to Europe.
On the table are two options: Plan A, using immobilised Russian assets as reparations, and Plan B, joint EU borrowing to support Kyiv.
Cocero noted that while France supports using Russian assets, countries like Italy, Bulgaria, Malta, Czechia, and Belgium have resisted, creating political complications.
Regarding joint borrowing, he explained, “Europe can give Ukraine 90 billion euros as a loan, but Russia does not want Ukraine to recover too quickly, which could affect repayment.”
Cocero suggested that the most likely outcome is a mix of both plans, allowing loans to Ukraine while using Russian assets as a cautionary measure.
He also highlighted the U.S. role, pointing out that Washington provides intelligence support but is prioritising the Pacific over Europe.
“The United States is collaborating, but not putting boots on the field,” he said. He added that Russia’s reaction will determine how far the U.S. is willing to engage diplomatically.
On potential delays, Cocero warned that EU member states could slow decisions: “Italy, Bulgaria, Belgium and others can take time, which is challenging given Ukraine’s critical situation.”
The analyst stressed the need for agile EU decision-making, noting that slow responses could mean missed opportunities to influence the war’s outcome.
The U.S. military announced that it has completed a new wave of strikes against Iranian military targets under U.S. President Donald Trump's orders. T...
Aid organisations in Afghanistan are struggling to keep women in work as Taliban restrictions force them to spend more on male guardians, transport an...
The Trump administration is pressing ahead with new immigration rules that will impose fixed time limits on visas for foreign students, cultural excha...
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has called for a renewed round of Russia-Ukraine peace talks during a two-day visit to Kyiv, as Ankara seeks to revive its role as a mediator and advance efforts towards a negotiated end to the war.
Keir Starmer has reaffirmed that the UK's "unwavering" support for Ukraine will continue, during his final visit to the country as Prime Minister.
Russia launched a fresh wave of missile strikes on Ukraine early on Thursday, saying it had hit military and industrial facilities in Kyiv, as well as key port infrastructure in the southern Odesa region.
The chief engineer at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has been killed in a drone strike near the facility, according to Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced the reimposition of a U.S. naval blockade on all Iranian ports and warned that power plants and bridges could be targeted next week unless Tehran returns to negotiations.
The United States carried out a third consecutive night of airstrikes against Iran, targeting military capabilities around the Strait of Hormuz as Donald Trump announced the reinstatement of a blockade on Iranian shipping and proposed a 20% fee on cargo passing through the strategic waterway.
The U.S. military announced that it has completed a new wave of strikes against Iranian military targets under U.S. President Donald Trump's orders. The operation targeted command centres, air defence systems, missile and drone facilities, and coastal surveillance sites across multiple locations.
The death toll from the fire at a live music pub in Bangkok has climbed to 32 after two more victims died from their injuries, according to Thailand's Police Hospital.
Ukraine and Russia exchanged fresh attacks on Tuesday, with Kyiv targeting shipping and energy infrastructure inside Russia while Moscow launched another large-scale missile and drone assault on Ukrainian cities.
The Trump administration is pressing ahead with new immigration rules that will impose fixed time limits on visas for foreign students, cultural exchange visitors and journalists, tightening requirements for thousands of people who study and work in the U.S.
Keir Starmer has reaffirmed that the UK's "unwavering" support for Ukraine will continue, during his final visit to the country as Prime Minister.
Two British hackers who carried out a cyberattack on Transport for London (TfL) that cost the transport authority £29 million to remediate have been jailed for a total of 11 years.
At least 11 people have been killed and 19 injured in a fire at an orphanage on the outskirts of the Algerian capital, state media reported. The blaze broke out early on Thursday at the institution in the eastern suburbs of Algiers.
A woman whose husband was sucked out of the window of a plane during a Ryanair flight has recounted pulling her husband to safety. Serbian couple Svetlana Maksimovic and Ljubisa Karovic had just settled into a flight with the airline last week, when a loud bang pierced the hum of engines.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment