Kirill Dmitriev, Russian President Vladimir Putin's special envoy for investment and economic cooperation, said on Friday that "law and common sense" had prevailed after European Union leaders decided to finance Ukraine through a loan instead of using frozen Russian assets.
"A big blow to the warmongers in the EU led by the failed Ursula - the voices of reason in the EU blocked the illegal use of Russian reserves to finance Ukraine," Dmitriev wrote on the X network, referring to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Disputed assets
Friday's decision by EU leaders was preceded by hours of negotiations over an unprecedented loan based on frozen assets.
The main obstacle was providing sufficient guarantees to Belgium, where 185 billion euros of Russia's frozen assets in Europe are stored, against possible financial and legal retaliation by Russia.
On Friday, Ukraine thanked the European Union for its decision to provide it with EUR 90 billion in support over the next two years. Finding the money for Kiev was crucial, because without EU financial assistance, Ukraine would have run out of funds in the second quarter of next year.
"This is a significant support that really strengthens our resilience," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy wrote on Telegram.
Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Serhiy Kyslytsia noted that "the perfect is the enemy of the good" and stressed that despite the long night, a workable outcome was achieved.
Merz speaks of compromise
The EU's decision was also welcomed by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who said common sense prevailed and the Union chose a solution with a solid legal and financial basis.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who had pushed for a reparation loan backed by Russian assets, described the outcome of the summit as a good compromise despite the setback.
In his view, it is good news for Ukraine and bad news for Russia.
(reuters, lud)