SHOTLIST:

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM (DEC.12, 2025) (ANADOLU - ACCESS ALL)

1. VARIOUS OF PROTESTORS GATHERING OUTSIDE EUROPEAN COUNCIL BUILDING TO DEMONSTRATE IN SUPPORT OF CONVERTING FROZEN RUSSIAN ASSETS IN BELGIUM INTO LOAN FOR UKRAINE, HOLDING BANNERS AND FLAGS, CHANTING SLOGANS, LISTENING TO SPEECH

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - DEC.12: Protesters gathered in front of the European Council building in Brussels on Friday, Dec. 12, during a meeting of European Union economy and finance ministers to demonstrate in support of converting frozen Russian assets in Belgium into a loan for Ukraine.

The protest took place as EU finance ministers met in the Belgian capital to discuss economic and financial matters, with demonstrators calling for the use of frozen Russian funds to support Ukraine.

A lion’s share of about $325 billion worth of Russian assets frozen globally is held in Europe.

The EU proposes making some of it available to Kyiv to cover its financial needs for 2026 and 2027.

Belgium, however, has opposed the EU plans saying it could have legal consequences and also endangers the peace process.

The European Central Bank is also concerned that the proposal could undermine the confidence in the euro in global markets.

EU leaders will decide on whether to use the frozen Russian assets for Ukraine at a summit in Brussels on Dec. 18.