Crucial week for Ukraine begins as diplomacy accelerates on all fronts
This week could prove "crucial" for diplomacy around Ukraine, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Monday, ahead of a meeting of European Defence ministers. While the ministers are seeking a deal on a reparations loan, Ukrainian and Russian leaders are also intensifying diplomatic efforts.
Kallas noted that the EU is preparing new sanctions and a plan to use Russia's frozen assets for a loan to Ukraine. Belgium - represented by its ambassador to the EU's Political and Security Committee due to Defence minister Theo Francken being abroad - remains hesitant, as most of those assets are held at Euroclear in Brussels.
Monday's meeting serves as preparation for a summit on 18 December, when a final decision on the loan and the potential use of frozen assets will be made. While Kallas acknowledged Belgium's "concerns", she insisted December's summit on the issue will not end without a solution.
Meanwhile, EU member states have submitted plans for the SAFE mechanism, through which the bloc aims to borrow up to 150 billion euros for joint defence spending. Fifteen countries included support for Ukraine, and the first funds could be released after the Commission assesses the plans over the next month. Belgium also filed its proposal and could be eligible for more than 8 billion euros.
Ukraine and Russia accelerate diplomacy
While EU ministers are meeting in Brussels, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky met French president Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Monday. They assessed progress toward a possible peace deal in the wake of Ukraine's talks with the US in Florida on Sunday. On Tuesday, Zelensky will travel to Ireland.
The Kremlin, meanwhile, has confirmed that US special envoy Steve Witkoff is set to meet Russian president Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Tuesday. According to The Wall Street Journal, Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US president Donald Trump, is travelling with him.
Trump himself said there is a good chance of reaching an agreement to end the war, although he warned that more work is needed. Washington's proposed 28-point plan for peace was revised last week by Europe and Ukraine, following criticism that it leaned too heavily toward Russian interests.
#FlandersNewsService | © STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP
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