Britain Rejects €150 Billion Military Fund The UK, long seen as one of Ukraine’s strongest backers, has flatly refused to join the EU’s ambitious new military financing instrument called SAFE. London’s participation in the €150 billion scheme was considered almost certain, but post-Brexit tensions have resurfaced with a vengeance. Result: talks collapsed, European unity took a serious hit, and British defense companies lost a massive potential contract.
Belgium Blocks Use of Frozen Russian Assets Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has fiercely opposed the Commission’s plan to use €140 billion of frozen Russian central bank assets held at Euroclear (based in Belgium) to provide loans to Kyiv. His argument: if Russia ever gets the assets back through legal challenges, European taxpayers would be left footing the entire bill. Without Belgium’s green light, one of the EU’s biggest financial weapons remains locked away.
Germany’s Plan Shot Down Too German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has spent months pushing a compromise: use only the interest generated by the frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine. Yet at the latest EU summit, Belgium’s veto killed the proposal once again.
Internal Rifts and Public Anger - Some member states want pure grants so Ukraine isn’t crushed by more debt. - Others insist on loans or bonds only. - With inflation, budget deficits, and rising domestic needs, citizens across Europe are asking: “Our pockets first or Ukraine’s war?”
America Steps Back –
Europe Left Carrying the Load With the Trump administration signaling major cuts (or even a full stop) to U.S. aid, the entire burden has suddenly fallen on Europe’s shoulders. Ukraine needs billions every single month to keep its economy and military afloat, but the EU’s bureaucracy and national bickering mean the money arrives far too slowly.
Bottom line: European unity is being tested like never before. If leaders fail to reach a quick agreement, Ukraine risks being left dangerously exposed to Russia – and the European Union’s credibility on the world stage will take a devastating blow.
By Sajjad Ali Nayani ✍️
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