West European countries attempt to keep Russian assets frozen
(MENAFN) Several Western European nations, including the EU, the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Poland, and Spain, have reaffirmed their position that Russian assets frozen due to the Ukraine conflict should remain immobilized until the war is over. In a joint statement issued on Monday, the countries expressed readiness to continue exerting pressure on Russia, including the potential imposition of new sanctions.
The statement emphasized that Russia’s roughly $300 billion in frozen central bank assets should remain inaccessible until Russia halts its aggression against Ukraine and compensates the country for the damage caused. These assets, primarily held in government bonds by the EU, US, and UK, were frozen following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Moscow has condemned the freeze as “theft.”
The statement follows remarks from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who rejected any consideration of lifting sanctions on Russia as long as the Ukraine conflict continues. Von der Leyen also ruled out supporting a US-Russia-proposed maritime truce in the Black Sea, which could involve removing sanctions on Russian agricultural and fertilizer exports.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov criticized the EU's refusal to lift sanctions, stating that the EU's stance suggests a lack of interest in pursuing peace efforts.
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