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EU leaders will meet in Brussels on Thursday to debate a €140 billion loan for Ukraine, financed with frozen Russian assets, and whether to tie it to buying European-made weapons. France, with Germany and Italy to a lesser extent, backs steering funds to the EU defense industry, an idea floated by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The Netherlands and Nordic-Baltic countries want Kyiv free to purchase U.S. systems like Patriot. Draft conclusions nod to reinforcing Europe’s defense industry, drawing accusations of hypocrisy. Finland’s Petteri Orpo and former Lithuanian minister Dovilė Šakalienė argue criteria should stay open to meet urgent needs.

Prepared by Rachel Morgan and reviewed by editorial team.