Discussions about new money for Ukraine are expected when EU finance ministers gather in Brussels today.
Also in one corner is Norway's Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg, who is participating in an annual meeting between EU and EFTA countries.
The pressure is heavy on Norway to act as a guarantor for billion-dollar European loans to Kiev – even though the EU side emphasizes that there are no concrete proposals yet.
“Will play a role”
"We have not had any specific discussions about the best way forward for a Norwegian contribution, but of course it is important that Norway also contributes - just as we are also talking to other like-minded countries outside the EU, such as the UK and Canada," says Danish Finance Minister Stephanie Lose, whose country leads the EU Council of Ministers this autumn, on the way to the meeting.
We'll see – but I'm convinced that Norway will play a role, says Lose.
The European Commission has been tasked with developing proposals on how Ukraine's economic needs can be "handled" in the coming years. So far, however, there is nothing concrete for the finance ministers to decide on. The hope is that something will be ready in time for the year's final summit on 18 December.
Belgian resistance
A low-interest loan – which the Commission calls a compensation loan, given that it is based on frozen Russian state assets in the EU – is still the number one option. Although Belgium, where the assets are physically located, continues to resist, for fear of claims for damages.
"We will discuss what options are available. But to be honest, the best way still seems to be a compensation loan," says Stephanie Lose in Brussels.
