Frozen Russian funds essential to support Ukraine
EUCO
Ahead of today’s European Council summit of EU leaders (EUCO), the Greens/EFA Group call on the summit to agree to the use of frozen assets to support the Ukrainians in their struggle against Russian aggression. Greens/EFA President, Bas Eickhout MEP, will attend the EUCO this evening from around 18:30 onwards. Should you wish to get reactions or quotes from Bas Eickhout, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Bas Eickhout MEP, President of the Greens/EFA Group, comments:
“In the face of Russian aggression and waiving US support, we cannot let the Ukrainians lose because we couldn’t agree on the details of how to use funds we’ve already frozen here in Europe. The EU is Ukraine’s greatest ally and we must use every tool at our disposal to support our future member in their struggle for survival.
"With US support to Ukraine waning and a difficult winter ahead, we urgently need to find ways to support the Ukrainians against Russian aggression. One of those ways is cutting off Russian gas to Europe, another is to utilise millions of euros sitting in Europe of frozen Russian assets.
“Until we have a negotiated peace with proper reparations, the often ill-gotten gains of Russian oligarchs should be used to support Ukraine. The EUCO needs to overcome its differences and we appreciate the need to ensure that we have a solid legal basis for this move, but it needs to happen now.”
More:
This week in Strasbourg MEPs signed off on the phase out of Russian gas, from Greens/EFA Group co-rapporteur Ville Niinistö, which will see bans on Russian gas entering Europe from 2026 for new contracts and 2027 for existing long term contracts.
