As ceasefire talks intensify but peace remains elusive, the EU faces a defining choice on Ukraine. On 18-19 December, the European Council will decide how Europe will continue to support Kyiv in 2026 and beyond, at a moment when those decisions could shape both the outcome of the war and the EU’s role as a strategic actor.
The European Commission has floated several options, including a reparation loan backed by more firmly immobilised Russian state assets of which up to EUR 210 billion are currently held in the EU.
These debates come as material US support for Ukraine is diminishing and Russia continues to push demands that would undermine Ukraine’s future sovereignty and independence rather than end the war.
The outcome of the European Council meeting will be pivotal. Will the EU limit itself to helping Ukraine buy time, or will it give Kyiv the means to negotiate from a position of strength? How future assistance is designed and used may be one of the EU’s last real chances to influence the course of the war and to demonstrate strategic leadership.
Join Ondrej Ditrych and Steven Everts on 17 December at 10 am CET for a new episode of Europe Responds, as they break down:
- Where the discussions are heading
- What the different funding options could mean for the trajectory and potential outcome of the war
- How EU assistance can be designed to truly make a difference
- How can it help to develop robust security guarantees for Ukraine
Live on Youtube
