Ukraine wants $ 300 billion frozen assets to buy weapons in the United States - Bloomberg
According to the sources, the idea of confiscation of funds and directing them for the purchase of weapons has been discussed between Ukraine, its allies and representatives of the Trump team over the last weeks. One source even noted that this proposal was represented personally by the US President. However, there is no signs that the US president supports this idea.
Bloomberg reminds that the frozen assets of the Russian Central Bank were blocked by G7 and the EU after a full -scale invasion of the Russian Federation into Ukraine in 2022. They are mainly stored in Euroclear's financial company. So far, the Great Seven countries have only used profits from these assets, providing Ukraine with loans for $ 50 billion. The idea of complete asset confiscation was previously supported by individual European countries during Joe Biden's presidency.
After Trump, this initiative is re -relevant among some allies of Ukraine. However, the issue remains contradictory. Diplomats say that most assets are in Europe and can be used as a lever in possible negotiations to settle the war. At the same time, Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg, where major Russian funds are concentrated, are afraid of confiscation because of potential financial and legal risks.
The European Central Bank warned that the seizure of Russia's assets can destabilize the euro area financial system. Moscow has already declared its intention to respond to any attempt to confiscate its assets. In January, the Russian newspaper "Vedomosti" reported that the Government of the Russian Federation developed the procedure for seizure of foreign property in Russia in response to such actions of the event.
In addition, Russia has already limited the withdrawal of capital for Western investors, and some European and American companies, including banks, continue to work in the Russian Federation, which can make them a target for Moscow's economic countermeasures. Despite the doubts of individual countries, Kyiv and its allies are convinced that economic and legal arguments are on their side.
In particular, Ukrainian officials indicate the possibility of using confiscated assets as compensation for the losses caused by war. As Trump has repeatedly stated that Ukraine should pay for the US military assistance, the use of assets of the Russian Federation could be a compromise, which is profitable for both Kiev and the US military-industrial complex, journalists said.