BRUSSELS - European Union leaders began discussions on March 21 on a plan to use billions of euros in profits from frozen Russian financial assets to buy arms for Ukraine, as they try to bolster Kyiv in its fight against Moscow’s invasion.

The bloc’s 27 national leaders are also set to debate how Europe can do more to defend itself and boost its arms industry, reflecting fears that Russia may not stop at Ukraine, and the US may not be such a staunch protector of Europe in the future.

During the two-day summit in Brussels, they will also tackle topics as diverse as the war in Gaza, the prospect of opening EU membership talks with Bosnia and farmers’ protests.

But Ukraine will top the agenda, with President Volodymyr Zelensky joining the leaders via video link.

EU leaders have voiced increasing alarm about the state of the war in recent weeks, with ammunition-starved Ukrainian forces struggling to hold back Russian troops and a US$60 billion (S$80.4 billion) military aid package for Kyiv stuck in the US Congress.

“Into the third year of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, we face a pivotal moment,” Mr Charles Michel, president of the European Council of EU leaders, wrote in his invitation letter for the summit.

“Urgency, intensity and unwavering determination are imperative.”

The European Commission, the EU’s executive body, this week proposed taking profits from Russian assets frozen in Europe after Moscow’s invasion and transferring some 90 per cent to an EU-run fund used to finance arms for Kyiv.

The commission estimated that the profits on the assets – various Russian central bank securities and cash – could be between €2.5 billion (S$3.66 billion) and €3 billion a year.

The assets are frozen by EU central securities depositories, mainly Belgium’s Euroclear. Ukraine would also receive the 25 per cent tax that the Belgian government puts on the profits.

Russia on March 20 described the EU plan as banditism and theft.

The idea of using the proceeds to benefit Ukraine enjoys broad support among EU governments, diplomats say. But using the money to buy weapons is more problematic for some countries.

Eyes on Orban

Much attention will focus on the reaction of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who maintains closer ties to Moscow than other EU leaders and opposes sending arms to Ukraine.

The proposal also raises questions for neutral or militarily non-aligned countries such as Malta, Austria and Ireland.

No final decision is expected at the summit. But leaders will indicate how the EU should proceed with the proposal.

A draft summit declaration says leaders “reviewed progress” on using the revenues “for the benefit of Ukraine, including possibly for funding military support” and asks EU bodies to “take work forward”.

It also says the EU “is committed to increasing its overall defence readiness and capabilities to match its needs and ambition” amid “rising threats and security challenges”.

It invites officials to scrutinise a European Commission plan to boost Europe’s arms industry by incentivising EU countries to buy European, and club together on joint projects.

The leaders are expected to discuss the vexed question of how greater defence spending should be financed.

French President Emmanuel Macron and others have embraced a proposal by Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas for European defence bonds.

But other countries, including fiscally cautious Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and Sweden, are sceptical.

On the war in Gaza, diplomats have been struggling to find a balance in the text that satisfies close allies of Israel such as Hungary, the Czech Republic and Austria, as well as strong advocates of Palestinians such as Spain, Ireland and Belgium.

“The text we have now is a fragile vase. I hope this fragile construct will stay,” said a senior EU diplomat. REUTERS