EU Divided: Frozen Russian Billions for Ukraine Reconstruction Sparks Fierce Debate

• EU states are sharply divided on using €210 billion in frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine's reconstruction.
• Ukraine's President Zelenskyy and Nordic leaders advocate using the funds, arguing Russia should pay for damages.
• Belgium (holding most assets via Euroclear), Italy, Germany, and France express caution, citing legal and financial risks.
• Russia's central bank is suing Euroclear, while Hungary's PM Orbán threatens to block related decisions.
• Public opinion in many EU countries supports using Russian funds, but legal and political divisions make the final decision uncertain.

Why It Matters: EU faces deep divisions and legal hurdles over using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine's rebuilding.