On December 18, at the Center for Public Analytics “Vezha,” Valerii Klochok and Asia-Pacific expert Nataliia Butyrska discussed the major challenges facing Europe in supporting Ukraine. The primary focus was on the EU leaders' summit in Brussels, attended by President Volodymyr Zelensky, where crucial decisions regarding Ukraine funding, including the use of frozen Russian assets, were debated.
European countries remain divided: some advocate for comprehensive support for Ukraine, while others oppose financial aid. These divisions reflect both political debates within the EU and international pressures, especially from the United States. The US position emphasizes retaining the frozen Russian assets and features input from both the Trump and Biden administrations in ongoing negotiations.
Butyrska stressed that decisions on frozen assets and support for Ukraine are a test of Europe’s independence as a global player. Economic and security assistance to Kyiv shapes not only Ukraine’s future but also the broader European security system.
The discussion also addressed China’s role. According to Butyrska, China remains supportive of Russia, leveraging the war for economic and technological gains. While China publicly maintains neutrality, it benefits from access to Russian resources and strengthens its position in the global power competition against the West.
The conversation covered the risk of Russia losing its international subjectivity, China’s involvement in negotiations, and the roles of the US and Europe, as well as overall risks for Eurasian stability. Participants agreed to continue analyzing China’s influence on European and global security in future broadcasts.
