The Prime Minister of Estonia, Kristen Michal, said at a European Union summit in Brussels that the principle of holding Russia accountable and ensuring stable support for Ukraine are key arguments in favor of using frozen Russian assets.
Source: Censor.NET
According to him, the first reason is that the aggressor must pay for the damage caused by the war itself, rather than European taxpayers. The second is that Ukraine must clearly understand that Europe is ready to fulfill its commitments and support it at any moment.
Michal stressed that a decision on frozen assets would send an important signal not only to Ukraine but also to the EU’s international partners, demonstrating the seriousness of Europe’s intentions.
The Prime Minister also noted that the current situation is a “moment of truth” for Europe, as the world is closely watching its actions.
He emphasized that the issue is not limited to money alone, as alternative instruments are possible, including loans or separate contributions. At the same time, the use of frozen Russian assets carries a clear political message: the aggressor must be held accountable for the damage caused.
According to Michal’s assessment, the available assets may be insufficient, so in the future Europe will likely have to consider introducing tariffs on Russian goods.
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