G7 to implement $50 bn. loan to Ukraine using frozen Russian assets; Ukraine releases intercepted conversation among Russian soldiers

The Group of Seven nations have announced the implementation of a loan worth about 50 billion dollars for Ukraine using the proceeds from frozen Russian assets.

The G7 finance ministers and central bank governors finalized the agreement in talks on Friday in Washington, and compiled a G7 leaders’ statement. The initial decision to provide the funds was made at a summit in June.

The statement says the loan is “to support Ukraine’s budgetary, military and reconstruction assistance.” It will begin to be disbursed by the end of the year.

The statement added, “the G7 remains steadfast in its solidarity to support Ukraine’s fight for freedom, and its recovery and reconstruction.”

A finance ministers’ statement on the implementation method was also adopted. It says the loan will be disbursed over three years until December 31, 2027 in instalments reflecting Ukraine’s urgent financing needs.

Japan’s Finance Minister Kato Katsunobu who attended the meeting told reporters that the agreement represents the G7’s commitment to support Ukraine in solidarity.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian defense intelligence officials have released what they say are intercepted conversations among Russian soldiers in Russia’s western Kursk region, where Ukrainian troops have conducted cross-border incursions.

In the recording released Friday, those believed to be Russian soldiers discuss preparations for receiving North Korean troops, whom they call “Battalion K”.

The radio interception indicates that one interpreter and three Russian soldiers are assigned for every 30 North Korean soldiers.

Referring to how orders should be interpreted, a soldier says with a laugh that the interpreter should say, “Go ahead, kill everyone”.

The conversation suggests one Russian soldier does not know how to deal with the North Koreans, while another is unhappy about an order to provide them with armored vehicles.

One Russian who expresses anger toward a fellow soldier says he wants to kill him — after killing the Koreans.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday that North Korean troops sent to Russia will enter “combat zones” as early as Sunday.