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EU Freezes €210 Billion in Russian Assets, Backing Ukraine

12/12/2025

32 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The European Union will indefinitely freeze €210 billion of Russian central bank assets to support Ukraine.
The decision will be finalized by a qualified majority vote, ending the six-month renewal and Slovakia's and Hungary's veto.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán condemned the measure as unlawful and harmful to the EU.
Russia's central bank threatened action, and the EU plans a €165 billion loan to Ukraine for 2026–2027.

History

Historical Context

Since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, the European Union has imposed multiple sanctions, freezing approximately €210 billion in Russian assets. Following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, these measures intensified, with the EU targeting the Russian central bank and oligarchs. As of July 2023, frozen Russian assets in the EU were estimated at €335 billion, reflecting ongoing geopolitical tensions and support for Ukraine's recovery efforts.

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Story summary

The European Union will indefinitely freeze €210 billion of Russian central bank assets to support Ukraine.
The decision will be finalized by a qualified majority vote, ending the six-month renewal and Slovakia's and Hungary's veto.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán condemned the measure as unlawful and harmful to the EU.
Russia's central bank threatened action, and the EU plans a €165 billion loan to Ukraine for 2026–2027.

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