European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, right, and Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz, left, attend a round table meeting on migration at the EU Summit in Brussels, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Olivier Hoslet, Pool Photo via AP)2025-12-18T04:51:21Z BRUSSELS (AP) Belgium insisted on Thursday that its European Union partners must provide ironclad guarantees that it will be protected from Russian retaliation before it would back a massive loan for Ukraine.At a high-stakes EU summit in Brussels, the 27-nation blocs leaders are set to decide on whether to use tens of billions of euros in frozen Russian assets to underwrite a loan to meet Ukraines military and financial needs over the next two years.The bulk of the assets some 193 billion euros ($227 billion) as of September are held in the Brussels-based financial clearing house Euroclear. Russias Central Bank sued Euroclear last week.Give me a parachute and well all jump together, De Wever told members of the Belgian parliament just before the summit began. If we have confidence in the parachute that shouldnt be a problem. Belgium raises its concerns as it faces Russian pressureBelgium fears that Russia will strike back and would prefer that the bloc borrow the money on international markets. It wants frozen assets held in other European countries to be thrown into the pot as well, and for its partners to guarantee that Euroclear will have the funds it needs should it come under legal attack.European officials say Russia is waging a campaign of sabotage and disruption across the continent. The Central Bank lawsuit ramped up pressure on Belgium and its European partners ahead of the summit.The reparations loan plan would see the EU give 90 billion euros ($106 billion) to Ukraine. Countries like the U.K., Canada and Norway would make up any shortfall.Russias claim to the assets would still stand, but the assets would remain locked away at least until the Kremlin ends its war on Ukraine and pays for the massive damage its caused over four years of war.In mapping out the loan plan, the European Commission set up safeguards to protect Belgium, but De Wever remains unconvinced. I have not yet seen a text that could satisfactorily address Belgiums concerns, he said. I hope to see one today.De Wever insisted that Belgium remains a faithful ally of Ukraine and wants to continue to help.Allies maintain support for UkraineWhatever method they use, the leaders have pledged to meet most of Ukraines needs for the next two years. The International Monetary Fund estimates that would amount to 137 billion euros ($160 billion). The war-ravaged country is at risk of bankruptcy and needs the money by spring.We have to find a solution today, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told reporters. We will not leave the European Council without a solution for the funding of Ukraine for the next two years. EU Council President Antnio Costa, who is chairing the meeting, has vowed to keep leaders negotiating until an agreement is reached, even if it takes days.Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said: Now we have a simple choice. Either money today or blood tomorrow. He insisted that all European leaders have to rise to the occasion. EU envoys have worked around the clock in recent weeks to flesh out the details and narrow differences among the 27 member countries. If enough countries object, the plan could be blocked. There is no majority support for a plan B of raising the funds on international markets. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that he hopes Belgiums concerns can be addressed.The reactions of the Russian president in recent hours show how necessary this is. In my view, this is indeed the only option. We are basically faced with the choice of using European debt or Russian assets for Ukraine, and my opinion is clear: we must use the Russian assets.Hungary and Slovakia oppose von der Leyens plan for a reparations loan. Apart from Belgium, Bulgaria, Italy and Malta are also undecided.I would not like a European Union in war, said Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbn, who sees himself as a peacemaker. Hes also Russian President Vladimir Putins closest ally in Europe. To give money means war. Orbn described the loan plan as a dead end, and said that the whole idea is a stupid one.___Associated Press Writer Kirsten Grieshaber in Berlin contributed to this report. SAM McNEIL McNeil covers Europe and beyond with a focus on conflict and the environment. twitter instagram facebook mailto RSShttps://feedx.net https://feedx.site