French Foreign Minister Jean‑Noël Barrot stated that Ukraine will soon be able to use an EU “reparation loan” to fund its defense needs.
“In the coming weeks, we will provide Ukraine with funds that will allow it to defend itself for at least three years through a loan granted by the European Commission, which will later be reimbursed with reparations paid by Russia to Ukraine,” Barrot told journalists on Monday in Luxembourg, ahead of the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting.
“This loan will allow Ukraine to arm itself for defense, including, of course, with European weapons,” he explained.
In addition, he said, a “policy of pressure” on Russia will continue in parallel through the 19th sanctions package, which he hopes will be adopted in the coming days. According to Barrot, this package targets “Russian energy infrastructure” and key industry entities, including the companies Rosneft and Gazpromneft.
Barrot also announced that he will propose starting work on a 20th sanctions package aimed “against forces and states that continue to directly or indirectly support” Russian military efforts. In partnership with participating countries of the “coalition of the willing,” pressure will also increase on Russian‑linked courts, he said.
Western media reported that the European Commission is considering using approximately €170 billion in frozen Russian assets held at the Euroclear financial depository in Brussels. It is expected that €140 billion of these funds would go toward the “reparation loan” for Ukraine. The issue is expected to be discussed at the EU summit on October 23–24.
