European Commission: EU not to succumb to Russian nuclear blackmail

European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovkis has said the EU will not succumb to Russian nuclear blackmail and manipulation.

Dombrovskis pledged continued support for Ukraine, including financial assistance of 18 billion euros for next year, Bloomberg reports.

"Ukraine needs our support and we are going to provide it. We are aiming for the first funds to be disbursed in January and we are sticking to that goal," he said.

Earlier, the German chancellor said the risk that Russian President Vladimir Putin would use nuclear weapons in a war against Ukraine had declined in response to international pressure.