The EU is pushing for an agreement as early as Friday to use emergency powers to extend the freeze on Russian assets — a key step in using these funds to aid Ukraine. According to people familiar with the matter, the European Commission will soon put forward a plan in this regard, with the goal of finalizing the agreement by the end of this week. The EU is seeking to use the frozen assets of the Bank of Russia to provide Ukraine with a 90 billion euro loan, and this problem has become the main sticking point. Currently, EU member states must renew this asset freeze measure every six months. This has raised concerns that Hungary or other countries may exercise their veto power, causing Moscow to suddenly obtain its right to claim funds.

The EU is pushing for an agreement as early as Friday to use emergency powers to extend the freeze on Russian assets — a key step in using these funds to aid Ukraine. According to people familiar with the matter, the European Commission will soon put forward a plan in this regard, with the goal of finalizing the agreement by the end of this week. The EU is seeking to use the frozen assets of the Bank of Russia to provide Ukraine with a 90 billion euro loan, and this problem has become the main sticking point. Currently, EU member states must renew this asset freeze measure every six months. This has raised concerns that Hungary or other countries may exercise their veto power, causing Moscow to suddenly obtain its right to claim funds.