Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has called on the European Union to confiscate the assets of the Russian Central Bank, which are frozen due to sanctions, to finance future financial support for Ukraine.
So far, the bloc has only used the extraordinary revenues of the assets held in its territory, estimated to be worth €210 billion, to deliver financial and military assistance to the war-torn nation. The option of asset confiscation remains a slippery slope, however, because the money is considered Russia's sovereign property and is therefore protected by international law.
"Enough talking, it's time to act" Donald Tusk posted on X on Thursday. "Let's finance our aid for Ukraine from the Russian frozen assets."
Tusk's bold idea comes amid heightened fears that US President Donald Trump, who is currently immersed in a bitter feud with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, might soon cut all assistance for Kyiv, leaving it vulnerable to Russia's aggression.
Trump shocked allies when he put the blame for the invasion on Ukraine and described Zelenskyy as a "dictator without elections," echoing Kremlin propaganda.
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