Ursula von der Leyen proposes using profits from frozen Russian assets to arm kyiv

The principle of communicating vessels applied to war. The President of the European Commission proposed, on Wednesday February 28, to use the profits from frozen Russian assets to finance arms for kyiv. “It’s time to start discussing using windfall profits from frozen Russian assets to jointly purchase military equipment for Ukraine”declared Ursula von der Leyen during a speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

How to use Russian state assets that were frozen after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine two years ago is the subject of intense discussion, raising thorny questions legal. The option of confiscating these funds arouses strong reluctance within the Twenty-Seven, but the European Union is working on ways to use the income generated by these assets. “With or without the support of our partners, we cannot let Russia win”insisted the President of the European Commission.

Referring more broadly to the situation of the EU, she insisted on the necessary strengthening of European sovereignty, which consists “to take responsibility ourselves for what is vital, even existential, for us”. “The threat of war may not be imminent, but it is not impossibleshe emphasized. The risks should not be exaggerated but we should be prepared for them.” Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Sweden on its upcoming membership of NATO, “historic step for this country and for our common security”.