Germany says EU will not move forward with frozen Russian asset transfers
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (Photo: Vitalii Nosach — RBC-Ukraine)
The EU will no longer return to the issue of transferring frozen Russian assets to Ukraine, even despite Hungary’s veto, states German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul.
“This issue has finally been resolved,” Wadephul said at a joint press conference with Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot.
At the same time, the German diplomat reminded that the European Union managed to find a very good backup instrument for Ukraine — a €90 billion loan.
At the same time, he criticized Hungary’s position, which is blocking the initiative for a loan to Ukraine.
What preceded this
Recently, the EU foreign ministers failed to agree on the 20th sanctions package against Russia. The main opponents of the restrictions against Russia are primarily Viktor Orbán’s Hungary, Slovakia, and Italy.
Regarding Italy, the country does not want to impose sanctions on the Georgian port of Kulevi because it receives gas from Azerbaijan via that port.
Regarding the positions of Hungary and Slovakia, they claim that Ukraine is deliberately not repairing the Druzhba oil pipeline damaged by Russian shelling, through which oil had been transported to those countries.
However, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy advised the pro-Russian governments of Hungary and Slovakia to negotiate directly with Moscow about an energy ceasefire if they are dissatisfied with the situation around the Druzhba pipeline.
The president stated that during repair work, Russian forces fire on repair workers, so Ukraine will not risk people’s lives.
