It would be better to allocate frozen Russian assets for the prevention of the effects of aggression in Ukraine than for the country's post-war reconstruction, Poland's foreign minister stated.
Speaking after a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, Radosław Sikorski told journalists a political decision had been reached, though not yet a legal one, that interest from frozen Russian assets in the West would be used to help Ukraine.
“Personally I would like to go further,” Sikorski continued. “I believe that the aggressor should pay for the results of its aggression. Since we already know Russia will not get this money unless it pays reparations to Ukraine, it would be better to earmark it to prevent the effects of aggression, on the defense of Ukraine, than only on its reconstruction.”
The foreign minister went on to express satisfaction at an additional EUR 5 billion being made available for the European Peace Facility (EPF), all of which will be allocated to supporting Ukraine.
“Personally I would like to go further,” Sikorski continued. “I believe that the aggressor should pay for the results of its aggression. Since we already know Russia will not get this money unless it pays reparations to Ukraine, it would be better to earmark it to prevent the effects of aggression, on the defense of Ukraine, than only on its reconstruction.”
The foreign minister went on to express satisfaction at an additional EUR 5 billion being made available for the European Peace Facility (EPF), all of which will be allocated to supporting Ukraine.
“This means that what countries give to Ukraine will be refunded, and those who do not give to Ukraine will contribute [to the EPF - PAP],” he said. “So no one in Europe, apart from one country [Hungary - PAP], will fail to give.”
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