EU mortgage for Ukraine: criticism from a number of sides | EUROtoday

As of: December 19, 2025 10:45 a.m

Hungary’s President Orbán speaks of a “lost war credit” with regard to the brand new EU assist to Ukraine. Criticism of the choice additionally comes from Germany, however for various causes. Russia sees itself vindicated.

After the Brussels settlement on loans for Ukraine, a number of nations criticized the choice. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who is thought for pro-Kremlin positions, spoke of a “lost war credit.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj, alternatively, thanked the EU for its monetary assist to his nation. 90 billion euros for the following two years are important and can actually strengthen Ukraine’s resilience, Zelensky wrote on Telegram. “It is important that Russian assets remain frozen ‌and that Ukraine has received a financial security guarantee for the coming years,” mentioned Zelensky.

Ischinger: “Class goal” achieved – at a “considerable price”

Former diplomat Wolfgang Ischinger sees the mortgage, which doesn’t use frozen Russian funds, as a lack of credibility for the EU. With the settlement on an EU-financed mortgage, Ukraine is getting what it urgently wants, mentioned Ischinger Deutschlandfunk. In phrases of outcomes, the “class goal” has been achieved – however at a “significant price”.

“Namely the price of credibility, determination and the ability of the European Union to act as a credible, internationally respected actor. That’s falling by the wayside here,” criticized the previous head of the Munich Security Conference. “We continue to give the impression that we are more driven and then look for alternative solutions.”

Russia sees Merz and von der Leyen as failures

Chief Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriyev described the Brussels compromise as an enormous blow to Chancellor Friedrich Merz and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, each of whom he known as “warmongers.” Russia had at all times warned in opposition to the “theft” of its state belongings and threatened to make use of Western cash – particularly from non-public buyers and corporations – for its personal functions in return. Now Merz, von der Leyen and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer have failed: “The whole world has just watched as you have failed to force others to break the law,” wrote Dmitriyev on the X platform.

Dröge speaks of an absence Assertiveness

The chief of the Green Party within the Bundestag, Katharina Dröge, interpreted the EU states’ compromise on financing Ukraine as a missed alternative. “If it is not possible to achieve European unity here now, especially in this explosive and crucial time for Ukraine, then when?” mentioned Dröge ARD morning journal.

Dröge mentioned that this was initially a reduction for Ukraine as a result of it was operating out of time. “At the same time, we have to say that this was not a decisive and unified signal from the European Union.” Russian President Vladimir Putin is paying very shut consideration to the query of how decided the Europeans are. Europe’s response was that it didn’t dare to carry Russia accountable. That would have been a sign that Putin would have understood, emphasised the Green Party chief. The undeniable fact that this was not profitable is a safety danger.

Chancellor Merz (CDU), who was on the forefront of supporters of using Russian cash, and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (additionally CDU) couldn’t have prevailed, mentioned Dröge. “I regret that very much. I wished both of them had been successful.”

“Putin’s long arm reaches all the way to Europe”

The chairwoman of the Committee for Security and Defense within the European Parliament, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (FDP), criticized the WDR Also, with the agreed compromise on financing Ukraine, the EU remained beneath its capabilities.

“And the Chancellor has also remained within his means, because he has announced that he is on the way to ensuring that the funds and the frozen assets are released,” mentioned Strack-Zimmermann. “The only good thing about it is that Ukraine will now continue to be financed, at least until the end of 27, its economy and also the military equipment – and that the Americans have obviously contributed something to this.” According to Strack-Zimmermann, the occasions additionally confirmed “that Putin’s long arm reaches all the way to Europe.”

Hardt refers to potential concepts from Trump

The CDU overseas politician Jürgen Hardt was typically constructive concerning the new mortgage for Ukraine. “90 billion euros is of course one word, with this Ukraine can actually finance its military spending next year and, if necessary, well into the year after next,” mentioned the overseas coverage spokesman for the CDU/CSU parliamentary group within the Bundestag BR.

Hardt spoke of sending a transparent sign to Russia, however expressed disappointment that the frozen Russian funds wouldn’t be touched in the interim. “I would have liked it to have been possible to borrow this Russian money, but the European Union did not take this step for various reasons, perhaps also because it was in the back of their minds that the US President had other ideas about what to do with this money.”