Three EU countries oppose purchase of ammunition for Ukraine with frozen Russian assets - Politico
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen (Photo: Getty Images)
European Union Member States have opposed the plan of the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to use the proceeds from frozen Russian assets to purchase weapons for Ukraine, according to Politico.
The agency notes that this is happening against rumors that the proposal to freeze assets will be presented closer to the EU leaders' summit next week.
During Wednesday's meeting of the envoys of the 27 EU countries, an unnamed European official revealed that Malta, Luxembourg, and Hungary have voiced their reservations about using the income from Russian assets to purchase ammunition for Ukraine.
According to them, von der Leyen's desire to use the money to replenish Ukraine's diminishing weapon supplies has complicated the negotiations, as a consensus was reached that they should go towards recovery.
Confiscation of Russian assets
Lately, the issue of confiscating Russian assets for the benefit of Ukraine has become increasingly relevant amid the lack of new assistance from the United States.
In total, about $300 billion of Russian assets have been frozen in Western countries since the beginning of the war.
Recently, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, proposed to redirect Russian assets to military aid for Ukraine.
On March 7, the Ukrainian government held a meeting regarding the confiscation of assets of the aggressor country.
