Ursula von der Leyen says Russia "must pay for the destruction" of Ukraine

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Russia should compensate Ukraine for the damage it has caused, as the bloc announced another transfer of earnings from frozen Russian central bank assets. The fifth such payment, announced August 5, sends €1.4 billion to Kyiv, bringing the total redirected to about €8 billion. The money comes from interest on immobilized Russian central bank funds held by EU securities depositories. Most will help Ukraine repay loans backed by the EU and G7. The announcement comes as fighting intensifies: Russia used a record number of glide bombs in July, and Ukraine says it struck over 100 Russian military targets. The EU says it has provided more than $226 billion in aid since 2022.