EU Keeps Ukraine Aid Front and Center as Russian Asset Debate Drifts
The European Commission says immobilised Russian Central Bank assets are not the immediate focus, with priority on disbursing €90 billion in Ukraine aid and assessing Kyiv’s budget shortfall with the IMF. While some member states and lawmakers push to tap the €210 billion via a custodian at Euroclear, Belgium remains opposed and Euroclear faces a legal challenge, and no new legal text is on the table yet as officials signal possible re-engagement on the assets.