Trump team expects Europe to take tougher stand on Russia
Photo: Matthew Whitaker, US Ambassador to NATO (Getty Images)
Europe must take a more aggressive approach to Russia, particularly on the use of frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine, says US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker in an interview with Bloomberg Television.
According to Whitaker, the confiscation of Russian assets in favor of Ukraine could be a “significant step” in strengthening Ukraine's economic and military financing for “several years.”
“But I think it would also point to a new step — a more aggressive Europe. The time for them to act boldly is now,” the ambassador said.
The diplomat also praised European NATO members for fulfilling their promises to increase defense spending, saying he was “overall very pleased” with the response to pressure from the US.
Commenting on President Donald Trump's remarks calling Russia a “paper tiger,” Whitaker said that the Russian army is not "necessarily that strong." But Europe must be prepared because the Kremlin is “reckless — they’re unpredictable and they may make a move on NATO territory.”
Confiscation of Russian assetsThe
European Union is considering the possibility of providing Ukraine with a reparation loan from Russia's frozen assets.
However, there is no consensus on this issue in the EU yet. Belgium, the country where most of Russia's frozen assets are located, is opposed to this idea.
Brussels fears possible lawsuits and penalties from Russia.
Against this backdrop, the EU began to consider alternative initiatives for financing Ukraine until the reparation loan is agreed upon.
