Zelenski supports the use of Russian assets frozen by the EU for Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed confidence about additional financial support for his country, after European Union leaders recently failed to reach an agreement on a new aid package for Ukraine, a country invaded by Russian forces unjustifiably in February 2022, reports DPA and Agerpres on Monday.
Although the EU decided on Thursday, in Brussels, to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, Kiev does not give up on obtaining additional financial aid.
"The negotiation process will not be easy, but the most important thing is that we have made a historic decision: Ukraine will always be a part of our common European home," Zelensky said Sunday evening in his daily message to Ukrainians. The Ukrainian head of state referred to the possible allocation of billions of euros from Russian assets frozen by the EU. "The assets of the terrorist state (Russia) and its allies should be used to support Ukraine in order to protect life and people from Russian terror," emphasized Volodymyr Zelensky.
According to the European Commission, Russian assets estimated at 200 billion euros are frozen in the EU, most of them being managed by the Belgian clearing company Euroclear. Clearing is a system of settlement between states through banks, by mutual compensation of claims and debts, in order to balance trade.
Earlier this month, the European Commission approved a legislative proposal on procedures for using Russian assets blocked under sanctions imposed on Moscow by the European Union.
