top of page

QUOTES: European leaders react to the EU's 90 billion-euro loan plan for Ukraine

The European Union has agreed to lend Ukraine €90 billion ($105 billion) to support its defense and recovery over the next two years, while frozen Russian assets will remain untouched for now. EU and Ukrainian leaders hailed the deal as a crucial step for financial security and lasting peace.

Andrew Gray, Krisztina Than, Michel Rose, Andreas Rinke, Olena Harmash and Alvise Armellini/Reuters

December 19, 2025

EU Agrees €90 Billion Loan to Ukraine, Russian Assets Not Used for Now.

Reuters

The European Union agreed on Friday to lend Ukraine 90 billion euros ($105 billion) but will not, for now, use frozen Russian assets to secure the loan.


Here is what European leaders said about the agreement:


EU PRESIDENT URSULA VON DER LEYEN


"We all share one clear goal, a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.


"We have secured an agreement that we can deliver on: the financing needs for Ukraine for the next two years."


UKRAINE PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY


"This is significant support that truly strengthens our resilience. It is important that Russian assets remain immobilized and that Ukraine has received a financial security guarantee for the coming years."


GERMAN CHANCELLOR FRIEDRICH MERZ


"I wanted to avoid either the member states or the European Union going into debt now. We are now making an advance payment, but it is secured by Russian assets, which are immobilised in the long term.


"And they will only be released once this loan has been repaid, either through reparations from Russia or through access to these assets, thereby achieving exactly what I wanted: access to Russian assets to finance the war against Russia and the defence against Russia."


ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER GIORGIA MELONI


"I'm glad that common sense prevailed, that we managed to secure the necessary resources with a solution that has a solid legal and financial basis.


"The issue of the assets remains in the conclusions; I remind you that the most important decision on this matter was already taken a few days ago when we immobilized them, ensuring they would not be returned."


HUNGARIAN PRIME MINISTER VIKTOR ORBAN ON FACEBOOK


"We have passed a very long and difficult night.


"We managed to avert the immediate threat of war. We did not let Europe declare war on Russia by using Russian assets.


"This plan would have plunged Europe into war and would have imposed a burden of 1,000 billion forints ($3 billion) on Hungary.


"At the same time, 24 member states decided to provide Ukraine with a war loan for the next two years. If the Ukrainians are unable to repay the loan, these European countries will have to repay it."


FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON


"The absence of a decision would have been a disaster. Happily we took a decision. A clear decision, a clear commitment, with concrete results. This summit is a very good one for Ukraine."


DANISH PRIME MINISTER METTE FREDERIKSEN


"Today is good example that when something is necessary, then we are able to deliver.


But at the same time we have to say that many governments and leaders are under a growing pressure in their national political discussions, parliaments and so on. It is changing in Europe, unfortunately, and I have to say, this is what Putin is hoping for, the combination of some kind of war fatigue with a hybrid war that brings a lot of uncertainty and insecurity into our societies."

-Andrew Gray, Krisztina Than, Michel Rose, Andreas Rinke, Olena Harmash and Alvise Armellini

The European Union agreed on Friday to lend Ukraine 90 billion euros ($105 billion) but will not, for now, use frozen Russian assets to secure the loan.


Here is what European leaders said about the agreement:


EU PRESIDENT URSULA VON DER LEYEN


"We all share one clear goal, a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.


"We have secured an agreement that we can deliver on: the financing needs for Ukraine for the next two years."


UKRAINE PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY


"This is significant support that truly strengthens our resilience. It is important that Russian assets remain immobilized and that Ukraine has received a financial security guarantee for the coming years."


GERMAN CHANCELLOR FRIEDRICH MERZ


"I wanted to avoid either the member states or the European Union going into debt now. We are now making an advance payment, but it is secured by Russian assets, which are immobilised in the long term.


"And they will only be released once this loan has been repaid, either through reparations from Russia or through access to these assets, thereby achieving exactly what I wanted: access to Russian assets to finance the war against Russia and the defence against Russia."


ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER GIORGIA MELONI


"I'm glad that common sense prevailed, that we managed to secure the necessary resources with a solution that has a solid legal and financial basis.


"The issue of the assets remains in the conclusions; I remind you that the most important decision on this matter was already taken a few days ago when we immobilized them, ensuring they would not be returned."


HUNGARIAN PRIME MINISTER VIKTOR ORBAN ON FACEBOOK


"We have passed a very long and difficult night.


"We managed to avert the immediate threat of war. We did not let Europe declare war on Russia by using Russian assets.


"This plan would have plunged Europe into war and would have imposed a burden of 1,000 billion forints ($3 billion) on Hungary.


"At the same time, 24 member states decided to provide Ukraine with a war loan for the next two years. If the Ukrainians are unable to repay the loan, these European countries will have to repay it."


FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON


"The absence of a decision would have been a disaster. Happily we took a decision. A clear decision, a clear commitment, with concrete results. This summit is a very good one for Ukraine."


DANISH PRIME MINISTER METTE FREDERIKSEN


"Today is good example that when something is necessary, then we are able to deliver.


But at the same time we have to say that many governments and leaders are under a growing pressure in their national political discussions, parliaments and so on. It is changing in Europe, unfortunately, and I have to say, this is what Putin is hoping for, the combination of some kind of war fatigue with a hybrid war that brings a lot of uncertainty and insecurity into our societies."

-Andrew Gray, Krisztina Than, Michel Rose, Andreas Rinke, Olena Harmash and Alvise Armellini

TOP POLITICAL STORIES

Add a Title

Start Now

Add a Title

Start Now

Add a Title

Start Now
European military heads to Greenland as Trump's ambitions for island undeterred by talks

European military heads to Greenland as Trump's ambitions for island undeterred by talks

Start Now
EXCLUSIVE: Trump questions support for son of Iran's last Shah inside country

EXCLUSIVE: Trump questions support for son of Iran's last Shah inside country

Start Now
EXPLAINER: How will the next UN chief be chosen and who wants the job?

EXPLAINER: How will the next UN chief be chosen and who wants the job?

Start Now

LATEST NEWS

Add a Title

Start Now

Add a Title

Start Now

Add a Title

Start Now
Italians challenged to drive slowly as Rome introduces speed limit in historic center

Italians challenged to drive slowly as Rome introduces speed limit in historic center

Start Now
Kremlin says action needed to avoid repeat of death of nine newborn babies in Siberian hospital

Kremlin says action needed to avoid repeat of death of nine newborn babies in Siberian hospital

Start Now
Two dead in Thailand after another crane collapses, crushing cars

Two dead in Thailand after another crane collapses, crushing cars

Start Now
bottom of page