"French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that EU leaders would be meeting with Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky as he arrived for the European Council in Brussels on Thursday. "First, regarding the war in Ukraine, we will receive President Zelenskyy after the meeting that took place in Berlin earlier this week. And on this subject, I want to reiterate the importance, first, of immobilising the frozen Russian assets. The decision has been made, the Europeans have made it, and we have gained visibility. Secondly, we now need to give visibility to the Ukrainians to finance their war effort. This is the decision we must make. There are several options that have been put on the table by the European Commission," he said. Macron also took aim at the EU's Mercosur deal - which has seen a huge backlash from French farmers over 'unfair' competition, saying: "Regarding Mercosur, we believe that the numbers do not add up and that this agreement cannot be signed." European farmers are concerned about price-undercutting, claiming 'higher' standards on their side will affect competitiveness. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is in Brazil for the official signing on Saturday, while France and Italy have called delays - and the deal would still need the European Parliament to give final approval. European leaders are also set to debate the European Commission's plan to use frozen Russian assets for a $140bn 'reparations loan' for Ukraine, amid huge divisions within the bloc. Belgium - where the assets are held - and others have warned of the impact on investor confidence, the need for 'risk-sharing' and questioned the legality. Italy, Belgium, Malta and Bulgaria called for alternatives to be explored. Others like Hungary and Slovakia have highlighted the need to end the Ukraine conflict - rather than fund more weapons- as well as ongoing corruption scandals in Ukraine. On Wednesday, Hungary's Viktor Orban claimed 'victory', saying the loan plan was 'off the table'. Russia has called the move 'illegal' and 'theft'. Macron was one of the leaders who met with the Ukrainian and US sides in Berlin this week to discuss the peace initiative - amid concerns that the Europeans were being 'frozen out'. A joint statement from the Europeans said they had agreed to a 'multinational force' for Ukraine after any peace deal - although it was not clear who would be involved or what the remit might be. Germany also claimed the US had agreed to as yet unspecified 'Article-5-like' guarantees. Zelensky earlier suggested he would drop his country's bid to join NATO. US President Donald Trump said "we are closer now than we have been ever" to a ceasefire. Moscow said it was yet to receive the 'revised' proposals, with talks set for Miami at the weekend."