Newshour EU leaders agree Ukraine loan
Dec 19, 2025
James Waterhouse, a seasoned BBC Ukraine correspondent, discusses the recent EU loan agreement for Ukraine and the complexities surrounding frozen Russian assets. He highlights the diplomatic hurdles and the implications for Moscow. Meanwhile, boxing correspondent Lee Costello analyzes the high-stakes Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua fight, addressing safety concerns and the risks Paul faces in this spectacle. With added insights into the Netflix streaming strategy, the conversation blends geopolitics with the excitement of combat sports.
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EU Loan As A Political Compromise
- EU leaders agreed a $105bn loan to Ukraine backed by the EU budget instead of using frozen Russian assets.
- The loan fills urgent funding gaps but was a political compromise that may signal division to Moscow.
Frozen Assets Debate Reveals Split
- Opposition from some member states prevented using frozen Russian sovereign assets as reparations.
- That failure risks feeding Kremlin optimism about EU disunity, according to critics like Peter Altmaier.
Widows Denied Honours After Suicides
- Anastasia Grybanova reported three families whose partners died by suicide during the war and received no military honours or compensation.
- She described the social stigma, reopened investigations, and calls for better psychological support.