EU fails to back frozen Russian cash loan – but vows to support Ukraine

BBC:

EU leaders agreed to help support Ukraine’s “financial needs” for the next two years on Thursday night – but stopped short of releasing billions of euros in frozen Russian cash to help fund the country’s defence.

A decision to use €140bn (£122bn) in Russian assets held in a Belgian clearing house was pushed back until December after concerns were raised by Belgium.

The controversial move would be on top of sanctions the block has imposed on Russia – the latest on Thursday targeting the Kremlin’s oil revenues.

The Brussels meeting came ahead of a London summit on Friday, where Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will urge European leaders to boost long-range missile supplies to Kyiv.