Overview
- The draft measure would move asset freezes from six‑month unanimous renewals to a qualified‑majority decision under emergency economic powers.
- Officials say the accelerated push aims to safeguard negotiating leverage in peace efforts and to keep the freeze decision separate from financing talks.
- The Commission’s plan would use immobilised Russian sovereign assets to back a multi‑year loan for Ukraine, starting with about €90 billion for 2026–27.
- Hungary has threatened to block sanctions extensions and further aid to Kyiv, prompting the bid to curb veto power through the Article 122 route.
- Belgium, where most assets sit at Euroclear, has raised legal concerns as Ursula von der Leyen met Belgian and German leaders; capitals aim for a Dec. 18–19 summit decision and are preparing bridge funding if the loan timing slips.