Putin on verge of full victory as Ukraine runs out of cash even before weapons? Alarm in EU | Russia

As Ukraine faces a deepening financial crisis amid its ongoing war with Russia, tensions are mounting within the European Union over how to sustain Kyiv’s funding. According to Politico, EU officials warn time is running out to convince the International Monetary Fund to grant new loans, as Belgium’s resistance complicates efforts to unlock fresh aid. Brussels had proposed using frozen Russian assets, worth nearly $300 billion for a “reparations loan,” but Belgium argues the move exposes the bloc to major legal risks. The impasse has cast doubt over a $160 billion EU loan package for Ukraine, which IMF approval partly reportedly depends on. Kyiv’s current $15.5 billion program expires in 2027, and President Zelensky’s request for an additional $8 billion remains stalled. Moscow, meanwhile, condemns Western plans as “theft,” insisting such aid only prolongs the conflict without altering its outcome. A final decision is expected at December’s European Commission summit.