The EU will promote a plan to help Ukraine with Russian assets regardless of the US’ position.

The EU will press forward with a commitment to secure aid for Ukraine from frozen Russian central bank assets regardless of issues raised by the US, said the head of EU diplomacy, Josep Borrell. “We will do everything possible to support Ukraine regardless of the decisions in Washington. Ukraine needs to increase its defense potential, and it needs it now,” he said.

A G7 deal on the use of proceeds from the frozen assets has reportedly faced delays as Washington seeks stronger assurances that the EU will be able to continue sanctions despite opposition from Hungary. The G7 plan, adopted at a summit in June, called for the funds to arrive by the end of the year.

At the same time, EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Maternova noted that while the G7 partners are working to agree on providing the $50B in aid, the EU has already allocated €1.5B from the profits generated by the Russian assets to support Ukraine. These funds will be directed to the purchase of weapons from Ukrainian and European manufacturers and to prepare for the coming winter.