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War in Ukraine: where to find the funding to arm the country?
War in Ukraine: where to find the funding to arm the country?
(France 2)
European heads of state met at a summit in Brussels on Thursday March 21 to find funding for Ukrainian defense. In particular, it would be envisaged to use the three billion euros of profits generated by Russian assets frozen within the framework of the sanctions.
Thursday March 21, Emmanuel Macron and his counterparts met at a summit in Brussels (Belgium), in order to find funding to deliver more shells, tanks and missiles to Ukraine. Among the leads are Russian assets frozen as part of the sanctions. While Brussels has confiscated 200 billion euros placed in Europe by the Russian Central Bank, there are plans to use the three billion euros in profits generated to finance Ukrainian defense. Moscow immediately protested, threatening Europe with reprisals.
Options that divide
If the Europeans swear that the operation is legal, as long as the assets themselves are not used, certain countries attached to their neutrality, such as Austria, are hesitant. The second avenue turns towards a European loan which would make it possible to release up to 100 billion euros. However, Germany and the Netherlands oppose it. The last avenue considered would be to call on the European Investment Bank, which usually finances the ecological transition. It would then be necessary to change its missions. At this stage, nothing has been decided.
