Five EU Countries Call for Using Frozen Russian Assets for Ukraine
The foreign ministers of five European Union countries have penned a joint letter requesting the examination of new options to use frozen Russian assets for the benefit of Ukraine.
Foreign ministers from five countries, including Sweden, Poland, the Netherlands, and Spain, have sent a joint letter to the European Union leadership requesting a reassessment of frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine. The ministers stated that this step would both sustain support for Ukraine and ease the burden on European taxpayers.
Joint Letter and Its Addressees
The foreign ministers of five countries, including Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen, and Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares Bueno, signed a joint letter. The letter was delivered to Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Helen McEntee, the Foreign Minister of Ireland, which holds the EU Presidency.
Ukraine's Financial Needs and Current Support
The letter drew attention to the critical role the EU plays in Ukraine's defense, emphasizing the importance of the 90 billion euro loan support agreed upon for the 2026-2027 period. However, it was stated that Ukraine needs more financial assistance in both the short and long term.
Justifications for Using Russian Assets
The ministers stated that using frozen Russian assets for the benefit of Ukraine would ensure that Moscow pays for the destruction it has caused. It was noted that this method would increase pressure on Russia while reducing the financial burden on European taxpayers.
Risk Sharing and Legal Assessment
In the letter, the EU Commission's technical experts were requested to examine new options in consultation with member states. It was emphasized that the financial and economic risks of the methods to be developed must be shared by all EU countries, and their compliance with international law must be rigorously assessed.
Opportunity for an Informal Meeting
Stating that the issue should be reconsidered following a comprehensive technical analysis, the letter noted that the informal meeting of EU foreign ministers to be held in Ireland on September 1-2 offers a suitable platform to bring this matter to the agenda.