Exclusive: Ukraine resists EU conditions on loan backed by frozen Russian assets

Reuters.com ^ | October 22, 2025 8:12 AM CDT | Tom Balmforth

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Summary

• Kyiv eyes $163 billion loan funded by frozen Russian assets
• Ukraine needs funds to fill $18 billion budget gap in 2026
• Some EU states want loan spent on European weapons
• Ukraine says it needs free hand if European arms not available

LONDON, Oct 22 (Reuters) - Ukraine is urging European countries not to limit its use of a proposed $163 billion loan based on frozen Russian state assets, arguing that it needs to be able to buy non-European arms, repair war damage from Russian attacks and compensate victims.

With EU leaders to discuss the "Reparations Loan" to Kyiv on Thursday at talks attended by Ukraine's president, some states suggest the funds be spent mainly on European-made weapons to boost their defence industries as threats from Russia grow.

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A senior official in President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's administration told Reuters Ukraine needed the funds by the end of the year and autonomy over how to spend them, in some of the first public comments laying out Kyiv's stance in detail.

"Ukraine's position is that any conditionality undermines the principle of justice. So the victim, not the donors or partners, must determine how to address its most urgent defence, recovery and compensation needs," Iryna Mudra, a top legal adviser in Zelenskiy's administration, said in an interview.

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TOPICS: Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: cash; corruption; ukraine

[kiryandil]

“Reparations Loan”

Bank: Hey, we’re gonna steal your money, and give it to your next-door neighbor that you picked a fight with.

If you want your money back, you have to pay it to the guy you’re fighting with, so it’s a wash.

EZEKIEL 25:17 revised by The Putin

The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the
Inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men

Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will
shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness
for he is truly his brother’s keeper and the finder of lost children

And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious Anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers

And you will know
My name is The Putin when I lay my vengeance upon thee.

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The Euroweenies, the neocons and the zeepers aren’t the sharpest bulbs in the drawer...

[webheart]

Oh yeah they want to compensate victims. Zelensky is a victim and there are probably a few other people in his family and circle of friends and associates that are victims and need to be compensated.

[kiryandil]

your next-door neighbor that picked a fight with you.*

[Mount Athos]

Very cruel of the EU to deprive Ukrainian politicians of swiss villas from this money.

I won’t be surprised if ultimately the EU ends up having to pay this money back. It is insane to assume that Russia will pay reparations. Reparations are paid by the one who loses the war...