Fate of Frozen Russian Assets in Europe to Be Discussed at Meeting in Denmark

Kokcha News Agency: The European Union’s foreign ministers are set to discuss the fate of frozen Russian assets during an informal meeting in Copenhagen today. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized that the EU cannot envision transferring these assets to Ukraine without compensating Moscow, a move that has been a point of contention since the assets were frozen in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Kaja Kallas’s comments come as the EU continues to grapple with the legal and ethical implications of using frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine’s reconstruction. The Russian Foreign Ministry has repeatedly condemned the freezing of its assets as “theft,” arguing that it violates international law.

The EU has frozen billions of dollars in Russian assets, including central bank reserves and private funds, as part of its sanctions regime against Moscow.

However, the question of how to use these assets remains unresolved, with some EU member states pushing for their transfer to Ukraine, while others, including Germany and France, have expressed concerns about the legal and financial risks involved.

Today’s meeting in Copenhagen will focus on finding a consensus on how to handle these assets, with Kaja Kallas stressing that any decision must take into account the need for compensation to Russia.