Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (M) is carrying a sign with her to Thursday's EU summit in Brussels. It clearly states how much more member states have paid to Russia for, for example, gas and oil than has been given to Ukraine.
"It is absolutely deplorable that the EU and European countries are not contributing more to supporting Ukraine. In fact, we end up with negative support if you subtract the total imports from Russia. You should be ashamed," says Malmer Stenergard.
Pressure on Belgium
The sign is a nod to ongoing discussions about the next major EU aid to Ukraine. The main plan is still to somehow use frozen Russian state assets as collateral for a multi-billion dollar loan.
However, Belgium – where the assets are held – is concerned about the risk of large claims for damages.
"They have legitimate objections in that they need the backing of the EU and other member states. I think we should make sure they feel safe," says Malmer Stenergard.
“War mafia”
Even if Belgium ultimately gives in, it is also important to find a solution that cannot be stopped by Hungary, which is increasingly taking a side in its view of Ukraine.
The recent dismissal of two Ukrainian ministers for corruption could be seen as evidence that anti-corruption efforts in Ukraine are working. However, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó instead chooses to see it as evidence that all payments should be stopped.
"It's a war mafia, a corrupt system, that prevails in Ukraine. Instead of stopping all payments, she (EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen) wants to send another 100 billion. That's madness," Szijjártó says in Brussels.
