4 h. ago Ukraine cannot continue to survive on Europe’s starvation rations

Editorial: Despite agreeing to a €90bn interest-free loan that could keep Kyiv afloat for two years, European leaders seem unduly nervous about forcing Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table. If Europe is ever to defeat Russia, it must now go further – or risk humiliation

Events

7 h. ago Zelenskyy and Polish PM hail EU’s €90bn loan: ‘Scariest thing for Russians is when we’re together’ – live

Ukrainian leader welcomes move as Donald Tusk says ‘it could be better’ after Russian frozen assets left out of dealEU leaders agree €90bn loan for Ukraine but without use of frozen Russian assetsIn his first comments on Ukraine, Putin swiftly blames Kyiv for the continuing war, saying “they are basically refusing to finish this conflict via peaceful means” (whatever that means from the literally invading party).But he says there are “some signals indicating they are willing to engage in some type of dialogue.” Continue reading...

Politics

10 h. ago EU’s Ukraine loan may have been Plan B, but don’t underestimate its significance to the bloc

This €90bn agreement won out over a plan to use frozen Russian assets, but has been hailed a ‘huge deal for the EU’The EU’s failure to agree a “reparations loan” to Ukraine backed by frozen Russian assets was a political blow to the bloc’s big beasts, but the last-gasp alternative it devised will do the job – and marks a potentially significant first.After a marathon 16 hours of talks, EU leaders early on Friday agreed to fund Ukraine, which risked running out of money by next April, with a much-needed €90bn (£79bn) loan. But the solution they came up with was not the one most had wanted. Continue reading...

Politics

10 h. ago Ukraine war live: Zelenskyy says EU’s €90bn loan is a ‘signal to Russians’ despite frozen assets not being part of deal

Ukrainian leader welcomes move and says it is critical Russian assets remain frozenEU leaders agree €90bn loan for Ukraine but without use of frozen Russian assetsIn his first comments on Ukraine, Putin swiftly blames Kyiv for the continuing war, saying “they are basically refusing to finish this conflict via peaceful means” (whatever that means from the literally invading party).But he says there are “some signals indicating they are willing to engage in some type of dialogue.” Continue reading...

Economics

11 h. ago Ukraine war live: Zelenskyy says EU’s €90bn loan is a ‘signal to Russians’

Ukrainian leader welcomes move and says it is critical Russian assets, which are not part of the deal, remain frozenEU leaders agree €90bn loan for Ukraine but without use of frozen Russian assetsIn his first comments on Ukraine, Putin swiftly blames Kyiv for the continuing war, saying “they are basically refusing to finish this conflict via peaceful means” (whatever that means from the literally invading party).But he says there are “some signals indicating they are willing to engage in some type of dialogue.” Continue reading...

Events

20 h. ago Ukraine deal: EU leaders agree €90bn loan, but without use of frozen Russian assets

Two-year deal will cover most of Ukraine’s needs, but will be secured against EU borrowing rather than Russian assetsEuropean Union leaders have decided to provide a massive interest-free loan to Ukraine to meet its military and economic needs for the next two years, after failing to agree on using frozen Russian assets, diplomats said in the early hours of Friday.“We have a deal. Decision to provide €90bn ($106bn) of support to Ukraine for 2026-27 approved. We committed, we delivered,” EU Council president Antonio Costa said in a post on social media. Continue reading...

Politics

21 h. ago EU agrees €90bn loan to Ukraine after frozen Russian asset plan fails

Money to be borrowed against bloc’s budget after leaders fail to agree on proposal using Moscow’s funds

Events

42 h. ago EU leaders urged to use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine’s defence

Pressure is growing on member states to back a €90bn loan for Kyiv ahead of a Brussels summitEuropean leaders are being urged to decide whether to use Russia’s frozen assets to fund Ukraine’s defence at a time of unprecedented pressure from the US.At a critical summit in Brussels on Thursday, EU leaders will be asked to make good on a promise to find urgently needed cash for Ukraine, with Kyiv under pressure to cede territory as Russia ekes out advances on the battlefield. Continue reading...

Politics