The heads of the foreign ministries of the EU countries have not made a decision to seize frozen Russian assets, but have agreed not to return them until Moscow pays for all the damage caused to Ukraine.
This was stated by the head of the European diplomatic service, Kaia Kalas.
„There is full agreement that the assets will not be returned to Russia until the damage to Ukraine is fully compensated. We discussed how we can more actively use these assets in support of Ukraine“, she said.
Kalas spoke in support of the seizure of assets, noting that „markets are reacting calmly“ of the discussion on the fate of the assets, so that it would not undermine the financial stability of the euro, which Belgium, Italy and other EU countries fear. Kallas noted that the discussion on the assets “will continue next month“. According to her, today the ministers did not try to “answer the question with yes or no“ about the appropriation of Russian assets.
“We need a clear strategy. When there is a peace agreement, we need to determine how we will act“, said Kallas.
Earlier, the head of the Belgian Foreign Ministry, under whose jurisdiction 210 billion euros of Russian assets are blocked, spoke out categorically against their expropriation. He stressed that the proceeds from the reinvestment of these assets have already been pledged as guarantees for the G7 loans already granted to Ukraine, with repayment in 2040. He stressed that Belgium is in favor of using the proceeds from these assets. The minister urged his colleagues “not to slaughter the goose that lays the golden eggs“.