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The proposal for a reparations loan to Ukraine funded by the cash proceeds of immobilized Russian assets is a reliable and legal way to make Russia pay for the damage it has caused, said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen ahead of the informal EU leaders’ summit in Copenhagen, Ukrinform reports.
“We need to increase pressure on Russia, and that’s why I proposed a reparations loan for Ukraine based on immobilized Russian assets. We will not confiscate the assets themselves — we will take the cash proceeds for a loan to Ukraine. Ukraine will have to repay this loan if Russia pays reparations,” von der Leyen explained.
She emphasized that the aggressor must be held accountable, including through reparations.
Addressing concerns that discussions about Russian assets remain sensitive and that not all EU countries currently support the idea, von der Leyen noted:
“There is growing consensus among us that it should not be only European taxpayers paying for Ukraine’s support, but also that Russia must be held accountable. Russia is the culprit, it caused the damage, and it must pay. I believe we now have a reliable, legal way to do so through the reparations proposal.”
As reported earlier, EU High Representative Kaja Kallas admitted that member states have not yet reached unity on broader use of frozen Russian assets, but rejected claims that funds of other countries in Europe might be at risk, stressing that “if you don’t start a war, there is no risk for you.”
