EU signals willingness to share burden of Ukraine reparations loan
Speaking after the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, Kaja Kallas emphasized that Belgium’s concerns are “clearly heard around the table,” noting that the responsibility should not fall solely on a country holding frozen Russian assets. “Everybody around the table understands Belgium’s worries and is willing to share those burdens,” she said.
Kallas described the reparations loan as the most feasible current option for supporting Ukraine, based on the principle that the aggressor should pay for the damage caused. EU leaders are expected to finalize decisions on Ukraine’s 2026–2027 funding at a European Council meeting later this week.
She also stressed that while backing Ukraine entails costs, allowing the country to falter would be far more expensive for Europe. Pressure, she added, must remain focused on Russia, which continues to reject peace initiatives.
In parallel with funding discussions, EU ministers agreed to intensify sanctions against Russia by targeting its so-called shadow fleet, which Kallas called a key source of revenue for the war.
The bloc added approximately 40 vessels to its sanctions list, along with individuals and entities linked to Russian oil companies Rosneft and Lukoil, and shipping firms involved in sanctions evasion.
Kallas explained that shadow fleet sanctions will now be applied on a rolling, monthly basis to respond more rapidly to Russia’s evolving tactics. “When we targeted the shadow fleet before, it had a significant impact on oil revenues,” she said, adding that Russia’s increasing use of hybrid methods requires faster and more agile EU action. Additional sanctions were also agreed for individuals involved in Russian hybrid activities against EU nations.
Kallas noted that Syria remains a key focus in the Middle East, one year after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Despite the regime’s fall, she said Syria continues to face severe challenges, including sectarian violence, weak institutions, lack of inclusivity and rule of law, and persistent security threats.
Recalling that the EU was the first to lift sanctions to support reconstruction, she stressed that sanctions relief alone cannot guarantee stability and economic recovery. “Investors need to trust the legal system and be confident the situation will not spiral out of control,” she said, adding that the EU is adjusting its Syria sanctions framework as conditions evolve. Ministers agreed to advance a new EU–Syria political partnership, with Kallas warning that without increased EU engagement, “others, including Russia, will fill the vacuum.”
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