Archive · 12 Dec 2025
EU Plans Indefinite Freeze on Russian Assets
The European Union wants to keep Russian money frozen in Europe for as long as needed.
This money, about 210 billion euros, is currently frozen and the EU wants to use it to help Ukraine.
The EU thinks this will help keep Ukraine safe and stable.
Belgium, which holds most of this money, is worried about legal problems.
The EU is trying to make sure Belgium won't have to pay Russia back if the sanctions are lifted.
Russia says using this money would be stealing and warns of strong reactions.
The EU will talk more about this at a meeting on December 18.
Euroclear, which holds the Russian assets, can protect itself by using Russian assets in Belgium if Russia tries to seize its assets in Russia.
The EU is also working with other countries to make sure Ukraine gets the money it needs.
The EU plans to indefinitely freeze 210 billion euros of Russian sovereign assets using Article 122 of the EU treaty.
The frozen assets will be used to finance Ukraine's defense against Russia's invasion for 2026 and 2027.
Belgium, holding 185 billion euros of the frozen assets, has concerns about potential legal repercussions and financial guarantees.
Russia has warned the EU against using its assets, calling it theft and threatening harsh reactions.
EU leaders will discuss the Reparations Loan at a summit on December 18 to decide on financing Ukraine for the next two years.
- Who
- European Union governments, the European Commission, Belgium, and Russia
- What
- Proposal to indefinitely freeze and use Russian central bank assets in Europe to finance Ukraine's defense
- When
- Agreement aimed for December 11, with a summit on December 18
- Where
- Europe, primarily Belgium which holds 185 billion euros of the frozen assets
- Why
- To finance Ukraine's defense against Russia's invasion and stabilize the EU's economic situation
EU and Ukraine
Russia
Use of Frozen Assets
EU and Ukraine
The EU plans to use frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine's defense and stabilize the EU's economic situation.
Russia
Russia considers the use of its frozen assets illegal and threatens to take legal action and employ all available means to protect its interests.
Legal and Financial Guarantees
EU and Ukraine
The EU is open to providing guarantees to Belgium to share the potential financial burden from any legal action Russia might take.
Russia
Russia warns of harsh reactions and legal consequences if its assets are used.
- Total Russian sovereign assets frozen in Europe
- 210 billion euros
- Amount held by Belgium
- 185 billion euros
- EU Treaty Article Used
- Article 122
- Potential Russian Reaction
- Legal action and harsh reaction
- EU Summit Date
- December 18
- Russian Frozen Assets Estimate
- 300 billion dollars
- EU Investments in Russia (2022)
- 364 billion dollars
- Euroclear's Offset Capability
- Euroclear can offset any seizure of its assets in Russia with the Russian assets it holds in Belgium.
Sources
EU aims to agree by Friday to long-term freeze of Russian central bank assets
Factbox-How might Russia react to any EU decision to use its frozen assets for Ukraine?
EU set to indefinitely freeze Russian assets, removing obstacle to Ukraine loan
Hungary protests ‘unlawful’ step by EU to freeze Russian assets, Orban says
EU open to accommodate Belgian concerns on guarantees in Russian asset plan
Euroclear can offset its assets seized by Russia with Russia’s assets -EU
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