European leaders near deal to use frozen Russian assets for Ukraine

Plans to secure loan with Russian funds moving to happy resolution', says Polish foreign minister

European leaders, including in the UK, are increasingly confident a proposal to lend Ukraine 140bn (159bn) secured on frozen Russian central bank deposits can be agreed by the end of the year, in a move deemed critical for Kyiv to maintain its defence effort.

Proposals from the European Commission were discussed at a meeting of G7 finance ministers in Washington last week and will be debated at an EU leaders summit on Thursday in Brussels. US participation remains uncertain.