Hard truths. Bold Insights. Real talk.
He insisted that the process remains the exclusive prerogative of Ukrainian citizens and authorities, even as the country continues to grapple with the realities of war.
Earlier this month, Putin declared that Russia has no intention of waging war in Europe but claimed it could act immediately if Europeans chose confrontation. On Friday, he added that further invasions would not occur “if you don't cheat us like you cheated us with Nato's eastward expansion”.
The decision came after more than a day of intensive negotiations at a summit in Brussels, highlighting the EU’s effort to maintain unity while offering Kyiv a critical financial lifeline.
The EU holds roughly €210bn (£185bn; $245bn) of Russian money, with most controlled by Euroclear, a Belgium-based financial institution. Belgium, along with several other member states, has voiced opposition to releasing the funds directly. So far, only the interest earned from these assets has been passed on to Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelensky warned on Tuesday that Russia sees the winter cold as one of its most dangerous weapons. "Every night Ukrainian parents hold their children in basements and shelters hoping our air defence will hold," he told the Dutch parliament.
The frozen funds, totaling up to €210bn, have been held in the EU since Russia launched its large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Most of the money is stored at Belgium’s Euroclear, and EU leaders hope to finalise a plan at next week’s summit that would channel the money to Ukraine to sustain its economy and defence operations.
Lance Corporal Hooley’s death comes at a time when the UK continues to provide military assistance to Ukraine, including training support, equipment, and intelligence cooperation.
Zelensky, who later traveled to Brussels to meet Nato officials, said Ukraine would submit its updated plan to the US on Tuesday. He told reporters that the “most certainly anti-Ukrainian points have been removed” from the previous draft, but admitted that concerns over giving up territory persist and a compromise “has not yet been found there.”
In a statement on Friday, December 5, 2025, Zelensky said Ukrainian emergency services are responding almost every day and every night to the aftermath of Russian strikes targeting civilian areas and critical infrastructure.
The government did not provide a precise timeline for the phase-out but emphasized that it will be gradual. This approach is intended to give the affected nations enough time to adjust their budgets and seek alternative sources of assistance.
While the White House expressed optimism on Monday, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt saying the administration “feels very optimistic” about a potential agreement, Zelensky offered a more cautious assessment on X, noting the talks were “very constructive” but that “some tough issues still have to be worked through.”
Yermak’s exit could weaken Ukraine’s position in upcoming talks, with US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll expected in Kyiv this week under the Trump peace initiative. In Moscow, President Vladimir Putin has endorsed a Hungarian offer to host a possible Trump-Putin summit, maintaining pressure on Kyiv.