EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, stated on Saturday that it is “unimaginable” for Russia to regain access to its frozen assets in the European Union without first paying reparations for the war in Ukraine.
Kallas made the remarks in Copenhagen, ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers, Reuters reported.
“We cannot even imagine that… if there is a ceasefire or a peace agreement, these assets could be returned to Russia without them paying reparations,” Kallas said.
Just two days earlier, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU will soon adopt its 19th package of sanctions against Russia since the start of the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Von der Leyen emphasized that the EU is also working on using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine’s defense and reconstruction.
“Alongside sanctions, we are working on utilizing frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine’s defense and recovery. Of course, we continue to provide strong and unwavering support for Ukraine – our neighbor, partner, friend, and future EU member,” she said on August 28.
Her remarks came after Russia launched massive missile and drone strikes on Kyiv, the largest attack on the Ukrainian capital in recent weeks.
The August 28 attacks killed at least 19 people and left dozens injured. European leaders strongly condemned the strikes, while both the EU and the United Kingdom summoned Russian diplomats to formally protest Moscow’s actions.
