EU leaders face crunch decision on loaning Russia’s frozen cash to Ukraine
Ukrinform/NurPhoto
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever is yet to be convinced that the money held in Belgium should be loaned to Ukraine (file pic)
European Union leaders are gathering for a Brussels summit where a momentous decision will be taken on whether to loan Ukraine tens of billions of euros in frozen Russian assets to fund its military and economic needs.
Most of Russia's €210bn (£185bn; $245bn) worth of assets in the EU are held by Belgium-based organisation Euroclear, and so far Belgium and some other members of the bloc have said they are opposed to using the cash.
Without a boost in funding, Ukraine's finances are set to run dry in a matter of months.
One European government official described being "cautiously optimistic, not overly optimistic" that a de...