Ukraine's Money Problem: EU's Plan Hits a Snag

The EU is facing a tough situation. They want to help Ukraine with money in 2026 and 2027. The plan is to use frozen Russian assets, mostly held in Belgium. These assets could be turned into a loan for Ukraine. But there are some big hurdles to overcome. First, Belgium has concerns. They want guarantees from other EU countries. What if Russia suddenly gets its assets back? Belgium wants to make sure other countries will help cover the costs. They also want the EU to handle any legal issues that might come up. The EU had hoped to start giving Ukraine this money in early 2026. But with these delays, that might not happen. If the plan isn't approved in time, the EU will need to find another way to support Ukraine. Ukraine needs this money for its defense and daily expenses. The EU leaders had a meeting on October 23. They didn't even give the EU Commission a clear plan to move forward. This makes the situation even more uncertain. The EU Commission thinks Ukraine will start running out of money by the second quarter of 2026. Ukraine's financial needs are huge. Sweden and Finland estimate that Ukraine will need around 130 billion euros in 2026 and 2027. The EU's plan could cover up to 140 billion euros. But first, they need to agree on it. If the EU can't agree on the plan, they will need to find a temporary solution. But no one has mentioned what that might be yet. The longer they wait, the harder it will be to help Ukraine.