As acting Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky joined EU leaders in Brussels on Oct. 16 for the summit’s Ukraine session, the bloc’s dilemma was clear: Ukraine is running out of money to wage the war, the EU has no ready way to fill the gap, and the one source leaders keep returning to—Russia’s frozen central bank assets—lacks agreement from its principal holder.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, as reported by European Pravda, said: “Waging war is expensive…. And Ukraine is now running out of money. This has already happened. They cannot buy what they need. They cannot produce what they need.” Asked where additional funding could come from, Frederiksen said that Russia’s “frozen assets are the most obvious source to turn to…. I still believe this is one of the best solutions we have right in front of us.”

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever reiterated his opposition on Oct. 15 to using Russia’s central bank assets, European Pravda reported. “In every war, even in World War II, they [the immobilized assets—ed.] were never touched. But at the end of a conflict, there is always a peace deal. And part of this peace deal is the use of immobilized assets.” He rejected any change of course now, noting that current rules require unanimity on the issue.

Asked about leaders seeking to put the issue back on the agenda, De Wever said: “Are there people on this planet who maybe dream of doing it differently this time and operationalizing those assets earlier for certain purposes? The answer to that question is yes, there are. Are they in this building [the European Council—ed.]? They are. Are they outside this building? Yes, they are. Do I want to talk about it? No, I don’t. It’s the best answer I can give you.”