European Union finance ministers are meeting in Brussels this Thursday to address the bloc's financial agenda, including the increasingly urgent question of funding for Ukraine.
Zelenskyy Warns Country's Existence Relies on Allies
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared in a recent discussion that Ukraine's existence relied on obtaining additional financial aid from international partners.
“We trust, with luck, we will get this decision,” he stated to reporters. If not, “We will have to find an alternative, it concerns our survival. That’s why we need it urgently. We rely on partners.”
European Authorities Pushes for €140 Billion Compensation Funding
The European Commission still hopes to convince participating countries – including Belgium, which continues to bloc the plan amid legal fears – to move ahead on a €140bn financial compensation using Moscow's immobilized funds.
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen insisted this morning that it would be “the optimal method to sustain Kyiv's military and national finances.”
Resolution Delayed Till Year-End Meeting
A final decision on the issue has been deferred until the European Council meeting in December, with the funding required at the start of the coming year.
Discussions Occur Amid Bribery Allegations in Ukraine
But the talks are happening during a tricky time for Kyiv, as the president had to move to address growing public outrage in Ukraine regarding a bribery incident in the energy sector, dismissing two ministers who are accused of involvement in a extensive corruption network.
Denmark's economic affairs minister Stephanie Lose was asked about her reaction to the allegations, and insisted that there was commitment to continue supporting Ukraine.
“Of course, The country will have to continuously work with reforms, strengthening every sector of their society [and] including fighting graft … but it is clear that there’s a strong European support behind Kyiv,” she said.
Other European Developments Under Watch
Separately, observers will be monitoring the Netherlands where the legislature meets to examine possible directions in the coalition talks, Rome-Tirana discussions in the Italian capital giving us the most recent opportunity to enjoy the remarkable Meloni-Rama dynamics, and a number of high-level meetings across Europe, including Nato’s the secretary general's visit to a German airbase.
Lots for us to cover.
It’s Thursday, November 13, 2025, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
