EU Indefinitely Freezes Russian Assets to Fund Ukraine Loan; Hungary Vows to Fight

• EU to indefinitely freeze 210 billion euros ($246 billion) worth of Russian central bank assets in Europe.
• This decision removes an obstacle for a potential 165 billion euro loan to Ukraine for its military and civilian needs.
• The indefinite freeze prevents member states like Hungary and Slovakia from blocking future extensions of the asset freeze.
• Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko welcomed the move as a "landmark step toward justice and accountability."
• Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban criticized the EU's decision, stating it would cause "irreparable damage" to the bloc.

Why It Matters: It secures vital, long-term funding for Ukraine using frozen Russian assets.