US President Donald Trump has sparked a wave of outrage among European leaders with his plan to use 144 billion euros of frozen Russian assets for US reconstruction in Ukraine – with the United States keeping 50 percent of the profits, Politico reports.

Several European diplomats have dismissed the proposal as scandalous, as Trump has no authority to unfreeze assets stored in Belgium. Harsher words were also spoken – one politician remarked that "Witkoff needs a psychiatrist".

The proposal in the 28-point document, presented by Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, comes at a time when the EU is finalising sensitive negotiations over a so-called reparations loan to Kiev from those funds. It wants to find an agreement at a summit in December.

Ukraine faces a serious dilemma with the White House plan. According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, it could either lose its dignity or the support of a key ally. At the same time, Trump's proposal envisages the establishment of a joint US-Russian investment fund, which has raised further question marks.

European countries insist, however, that any post-war solution requires the consent of all partners, not dictates from Washington.

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