The European Commission makes it clear: We are ready to cover Ukraine's financial needs

The basic message for Russia is clear: we are ready to cover Ukraine's financial needs and we will support it as long as necessary, declared the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on Tuesday in Stockholm, when asked by journalists about the use of frozen Russian assets.

– We are now dealing with technical issues – von der Leyen reminded at a joint conference with the prime ministers of the Nordic countries.

– Of course, we did not reach a conclusion (on frozen Russian assets) at the last meeting of the European Council, but we have taken important steps (on this matter), said Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. He drew attention to the fact that Nordic EU members support the use of Kremlin assets.

He was echoed by the head of the Danish government, Mette Frederiksen. “In my opinion, there is no other alternative,” she said. The Prime Minister of Finland, Petteri Orpo, spoke similarly. – I am optimistic that we will find a solution in talks with Belgium in December – he said.

At the October EU summit in Brussels, leaders did not reach a breakthrough on the allocation of frozen Russian assets to the so-called reparation loan for Ukraine. The idea is to use these assets to provide a loan of EUR 140 billion to Kiev.

Belgium, where most Russian assets are frozen, is still afraid of the legal and financial consequences of such a decision, e.g. lawsuits from Russia. Therefore, the government in Brussels wants the risk to be spread also to other member states.

From Stockholm Daniel Zyśk (PAP)

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