Kallas: It is inconceivable to return Russian assets to Moscow without it paying war reparations to Ukraine

(Patria) - Head of European diplomacy Kaja Kallas stated that it is inconceivable to return frozen Russian assets within the European Union without Moscow paying war reparations for the aggression against Ukraine.

"We cannot even imagine that, if there is a ceasefire or a peace agreement, these assets would be returned to Russia, and they have not paid reparations," Kallas said ahead of the meeting of EU foreign ministers in Copenhagen.

As part of sanctions against Russia, the EU has blocked about 210 billion euros in assets. Ukraine and some member states, including Poland and the Baltic countries, are calling for the permanent confiscation of these funds and their use to help Kyiv.

The largest EU member states – France, Germany, and Belgium (where the largest part of the frozen assets is located) – oppose this proposal. They emphasize that the Union has already decided that future profits from frozen assets will be used to repay aid to Ukraine, and they question the legal basis for confiscation.

According to European diplomats, the discussion is increasingly shifting towards how the funds will be used after the war in Ukraine ends.