German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said the German government does not yet have a "final opinion" on the possibility of expropriating frozen Russian assets. At the forthcoming informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Copenhagen (29-30 August), a key point of discussion will be their possible use for the benefit of Ukraine, with the complex legal framework and possible impact on financial markets to be examined in detail.

Belgický premiér Bart De Wever warned against confiscation of the principal, which he sees as posing too many risks - legal claims from Russia and destabilisation of confidence in European financial centres. He recommends using only the proceeds of assets - the larger 'golden egg', not the 'bird' itself, i.e. capital.

There is a clear tension in the EU on this issue: the Eastern European states are pushing for quick use for arms or construction support for Ukraine, while governments such as the German or French insist on keeping the assets as a strategic potential in any peace negotiations.

The EU has already approved a legal method to use only the proceeds - without violating Russia's sovereignty - and it is estimated that these funds could provide up to €3 billion a year to Ukraine.

According to an Estonian politician Kaji Kallasové and other European leaders, the use of frozen Russian assets is a legally and morally justified response to aggression - a means of pressure and compensation for damage.

Americký kongresman Francis Hill even proposed using most of the frozen assets - up to €258 billion - as a down payment to compensate for the damage caused to Ukraine. But even this plan faces legal and political obstacles, including the need for unanimous consent in the EU.

In conclusion, the EU is at an important juncture: balancing between rapid material assistance to Ukraine and preserving international legal borders and the stability of the financial system. The outcome of the Copenhagen talks at the end of August is likely to be a compromise - using revenues, not capital - with a willingness to take the discussion further.

gnews.cz - GH