The European Union is studying the possibility of using the frozen assets of the Russian central bank to restore Ukraine. This is reported by Bloomberg.
As the newspaper reports, citing anonymous sources, the discussion is still at an initial stage. However, legal experts have already been instructed to explore possible options so that the transfer of assets does not threaten legal consequences.
Among the options, the use of assets of the central bank of Russia worth 300 billion dollars, frozen by the EU countries, the USA and other allies after Russia's invasion of the territory of Ukraine, is being considered.
According to other anonymous Bloomberg sources, such talks are also being held in the US. But U.S. officials are concerned that it could set a precedent that would prevent central banks from other countries from placing their assets in the U.S. Confiscation of central bank assets is a legal minefield and the path from a paper decision to reality will be long.
The European Commission is also "studying how to make Russia pay for the destruction caused," and EU leaders asked it to "provide options for using frozen assets to rebuild Ukraine in accordance with EU and international law," European Commission representative Christian Wiegand said, adding that "work is underway ".
European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders said that the reserves of the Russian Central Bank could be kept "frozen" until the aggressor country takes part in the restoration of Ukraine.