European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has welcomed the European Union’s decision to maintain the indefinite freezing of approximately €210 billion in Russian sovereign assets, signalling a further escalation of financial pressure on Moscow amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The move underpins a plan to unlock a €165 billion loan package for Kyiv, aimed at supporting Ukraine’s defence capabilities and government operations. The loan would be repaid only if Russia eventually provides war reparations, effectively using frozen Russian assets as leverage to finance Ukraine’s resistance.
Von der Leyen praised the EU Council’s decision to continue immobilising the assets, stressing that the measure sends a clear and united message to the Kremlin.
“I welcome the decision of the Council on our proposal to continue the immobilisation of Russian sovereign assets,” she said.
“We are sending a strong signal to Russia that as long as this brutal war of aggression continues, Russia’s costs will continue to rise.”
She added that the decision is also a powerful message of support to Ukraine.
“We want to make sure that our brave neighbour becomes even stronger — both on the battlefield and at the negotiating table.”
The decision comes as uncertainty grows over the future level of U.S. military and financial support for Ukraine, increasing pressure on Europe to take a more prominent role in sustaining Kyiv’s war effort. EU officials have stressed that the bloc is prepared to support Ukraine for as long as necessary, including by exploring innovative financial mechanisms tied to frozen Russian assets.
Source: Ursula von der Leyen
/Europe Agrees to Indefinite Freeze of Russian Central Bank Assets
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