Public opinion is sharply divided on the EU's approach to using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's reconstruction. While a segment strongly supports immediate action to aid Ukraine, emphasizing moral obligation and urgency, others criticize the EU's plan as illegal and risk-prone, fearing the ambiguity it creates in international law and financial trust. The prevalent concern is about the implications of asset seizure on future geopolitical stability.

European Union

Russia

Ukraine

I was worried only 2 options were going to be explored..

LongShow5279

Hasn’t the EU already had 3 years to “explore” this?

redcremesoda

This has been fake news since 3 years ago.

The west still has about 300 billion in assets still in russia. Thats why its dumb to steal this money because russia will just do the same to western assets left in russia. Thus negating any real financial loss.

So it would only serve to weaken the western financial system and be a fake news win for you mush brains. [https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-cant-match-western-asset-seizure-it-can-inflict-pain-2024-05-02/](https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-cant-match-western-asset-seizure-it-can-inflict-pain-2024-05-02/)

Countries like Cyprus, the Netherlands, the UK, and Germany hold significant investments in Russia

RussBot10000

Highly doubt chasing out foreign investment is worth it in the long run just to make use of some Russian assets.

TianZiGaming

Stealing those assets would be a very bad idea... Most national banks hold reserves abroad, we really shouldn't give the signal that it is okay to steal them due to political disputes. Also it will destroy the confidence of foreign investors in the EU market.

HAL9000_1208

''**The European Union is examining all potential options to make optimal use of frozen Russian assets in Europe to bolster its support for Ukraine, EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas announced on Saturday.**  
  
“It is vital to explore all possible avenues while minimising potential risks,” Kallas stated following a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Copenhagen.  
  
Russian state assets abroad were frozen after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The majority of these assets, an estimated €210 billion, are held in Belgium, an EU member state. Initially, the EU decided to use the interest generated from these assets — amounting to several billion euros annually — to support Ukraine’s war efforts.  
  
After months of debate, G7 leaders reached an agreement in October 2024 to utilise the interest from these assets to secure a €45 billion EU-backed loan for Ukraine.  
  
However, several EU countries now argue for a more decisive move, advocating for the use of the assets’ principal, not just the interest. Others, including France, Germany, and the Netherlands, remain cautious, citing legal challenges and concerns that seizing the assets could deter future foreign investors and destabilise the euro.  
  
Compromise proposals have emerged, such as Lithuania’s suggestion to treat the seized assets as a loan to Ukraine, earmarked for war reparations that Russia would eventually pay once the conflict ends.  
  
“There is consensus on one point: given the devastation Russia has caused in Ukraine, it is inconceivable that this money could ever be handed back to Russia unless it fully compensates Ukraine,” Kallas told reporters.  
  
Another proposal involves taking on higher-risk investments to generate greater returns from the frozen assets.

However, Belgium, particularly concerned about financial risks, expressed strong opposition to any changes in the existing strategy. “Changing the investment strategy is not an option, as it could increase legal, financial, and judicial risks,” Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot cautioned on Saturday during the Copenhagen meeting. He also restated Belgium’s firm opposition to seizing the assets outright.

“Let us work to mitigate these risks,” Kallas added, emphasising the need for a carefully balanced approach.''

DjangoDynamite

I worry that this might be something similar to why everyone started talking about recognizing Palistine—because they know Israel was gonna completely occupy Gaza… what do they know now? Is there gonna be some kinda deal and they are covering themselves to say hey we tried?

Ok_Relation7695

Yeah, thankfully, EU politicians, despite loving to shoot themselves in the foot (feet?), are not that stupid to steal other countries' money and destabilize the Euro and EU financial markets.

Dacadey

Does that include the ultimate apocalyptic option of a strongly worded letter? To let Putin know the EU means business, drop it off in person at the Kremlin by a high-ranking diplomat shaking his fist.

lolwut778

A risky move this. Why would any country put their money in European financial institutions when it can be taken away according to EU whims? Once the precdent has been set, there is no turning back

EnglightenedEmiya

EU companies with assets in Russia will be probably very happy when the same measures will be taken. Lets see how this will mature.

sandokando

More than 3 years into an active war, 11 years after the illegal annexation of Crimea, and the EU is still in the process of figuring out ways to *"sanction Russia, but not too much!"*

And then they act surprised when people start taking this (theoretically) beautiful construct less and less seriously.

EquipmentAdorable982

Apparently, trade between the EU and Russia will not resume even after the ceasefire in Ukraine.

Any-Original-6113

A mere 3,5 years after the war and we're ''exploring'' all ''options''

  
If only the EU was as horny about fucking over russia as it was over fucking over us.

Betonkauwer

Look at all the proud Russian bots in here advocating for the "rule of law" on Russian money. You Vatniks are hilarious.

EU needs to use those assets to fund weapons and warfare costs of NATO.
The rise of NATO costs accepted by some EU countries, is money needed for schools, health and education.


So just use those assets as EU funds to pay for NATO increased costs 

Individual-Zombie226

Trow caution to the reckless winds. The money serves humanity best, spent buying weapons to help Ukraine win the war..

Snake_Plizken

I swear, they're just going to return them to russia at some point and then bitch how russia uses it to undermine their security 

Sudden-Individual698

ihadtomakeajoke

AvariceLegion

And that's even when the russkies have no such qualms. 

https://united24media.com/latest-news/putin-seizes-french-air-liquide-assets-in-russia-amid-wave-of-expropriations-11216

TomSki2

amy-schumer-tampon

QuarkVsOdo

If the EU grows a pair, there is only one option, take the funds and use them to help Ukraine.

kuralho

russia stole, among other things, 400 aircraft with no consequences and we are still here exploring?

GreenEyeOfADemon

&gt; Another proposal involves taking on higher-risk investments to generate greater returns from the frozen assets.

The idea of plowing all of this money into a handful of meme stocks and shitcoins makes me laugh

JuliusCaesar121

Sell them and give money to Russian victims... like we do with mafia assets here in italy

AR_Harlock

Yes, risky, but right. For the majority of EU citizens, Ukraine belongs there; it defends our values. For friends who are slaughtered for greed and idealism, we must help. As if it weren't justified, and countries or companies could never justify not doing so. Money and foreign currency are the fuel of this carnage... no idea why we're afraid.

OutsideNectarine6503

Just do it idiots. 


Russia has no problem stealing and using the proceeds via cyber crime or regular crime.

JonLivingston70

Silent_Basket_7040

i swore i have seen this exact title pop up every 6 months.

&gt; However, several EU countries now argue for a more decisive move, advocating for the use of the assets’ principal, not just the interest. Others, including France, Germany, and the Netherlands, remain cautious, citing legal challenges and concerns that seizing the assets could deter future foreign investors and destabilise the euro.

considering the only country effected by this would be **china** This would not be a bad thing. I mean seriously what sort of stupid logic is that. the vast majority of your foreign investment is european or american!

probable-degenerate

Who would buy foreign assets that have been nationalized by Russia to be sold off, if Russia can just nationalize them again?

Ill-Tea9411

Well, those western companies chose to stay in Russia despite everything Russia did up to this point so I don't particularly feel sorry for any losses there.

Desnowshaite

Any foreign company still operating in Russia deserves whatever happens to them.

izlame

Imagine looting your neighbor’s house and then whining that the cops froze your bank account.

Suspicious-Ice-8862

And who would they sell them to? Themselves? Because nobody outside of Russia would even touch that...

Morty_A2666

this, the incessant threats and the drone attacks smack of desperation over ukraine's pummeling of their energy grid. they're escalating to try to deescalate.

BiteYourThumbAtMeSir

PrairieScott

dez11de

Oxjrnine

What? 


So your response to them having frozen asset is to sell yours? 


What?

madadekinai

Leave Taylor Swift alone, Russia! She can sell what she wants!

nrkey4ever

They can’t sell Taylor Swift’s old catalog Scooter Braun sold that back to Taylor, didn’t he?

607vuv

The seized funds should never be returned. They can be isolated for eternity, destroyed, or transferred to Ukraine but never returned to Russia for any reason whatsoever.

Ukraine has legal merit for the loss and damages caused by Russia’s unwarranted, inhumane, and criminal actions, all it takes is a new framework for the reparations funding.

VersusYYC

Without a solid legal basis?  Did Russia use a solid legal basis to take over Crimea, or to invade Ukraine?

wwarnout

Rule of law is the biggest asset we Europeans have. No chance anyone is going to throw this away for Russia. If there is no legal basis to do it, we can't do it. We are not in Trumps America. It is simple as that.

Hopefully we can keep it frozen until a Judge decides Ukraine can use it as reparations.

PreparationStrict317

that's because we are afraid that other despicable individuals will not continue deposit their money in our banks (among the most solid banks in the world btw)... pathetic

doninside

Funny that.  Leaders get very nervous taking peoples money, but killing is OK.

Kokophelli

Russia recently confiscated 30 billion worth of assets from the Finnish energy company Fortum. We accept payment from the frozen Russian assets and will gladly gift the funds to Ukraine. Is that legal enough?

JuliusFIN

What is the point of the EU if it can't stand up for itself and its neighbours?

I thought EU countries were sovereign so they can do pretty much what the hell they like, like Putin did when he invaded Ukraine and threatened to use nukes.

What will happen to the EU if they do sell all Russian assets in their territory? Is Pussy Putin going to nuke them or just empty threats.

Russia easily owes €210bn just to repair the damages caused to Ukraine. The EU can CREATE a legal basis to transfer all that money to Ukraine to defend and rebuild itself.

Trump, Putin and Xi have shown that international law has no meaning to them. The EU need to wake up to how the world works today.

If they have no legal basis to sell Russian assets then create new laws to make it happen.

xParesh

I would say Russian oligarchs forfeited any right to due process when they decided to sanction an illegal invasion and subsequent war crimes

Ranger_242

If it were just Russia, the EU will have no problem seizing the assets. However, the EU does not operate in a vacuum. If it seizes Russian assets without legal basis, then it will ruin the EU's credibility as a financial hub. This is about credibility and perception from other countries regarding the trustworthiness of EU financial institutions.  

Likewise if Russia wins the Ukraine war and EU does not intervene, then EU banks will need to give the assets back to Russia as the war is over. If Ukraine wins the war, then the assets can be given to Ukraine as part reparations. Giving Russian assets to Ukraine or back to Russia before the final result of the Ukraine war is not a good idea for the EU.

Hikarilo

Why not use it to pay wages to Russian soldiers that surrender. Then they go to Russians, and help Ukraine.

Extension_Design_699

They could let Ukraine sue Russia for damages in EU courts.

pintord

Maybe... I dunno... Lawmakers could pass a bill to make a new law making it legal? Not that we are in a world where abiding by laws is relevant anymore.

EnderDragoon

MonkeyDeltaFoxtrot

They can use “Russia started an illegal and unjustified war” as a basis, and seize the whole pile.

jspurlin03

Maybe the law can be: “Your assets will be seized if you invade another fucking country.” 

SomeBaldDude2013

Liquidate it all, create a sovereign wealth fund, give all proceeds to Ukraine for the next 25 years to rebuild and after that the proceeds can be used for whatever cause then needs it next

SgtTreehugger

More than that!

Belgium.    $193B

France.       $71B

Japan.        $58B

UK.              $26B

Austria.       $17B

Switzerland $ 8B

Germany.    $5B

US.               $5B

and Ukraine can send it all back aerially! (with interest!)

TV-Tommy

it is  The  Special Financial Operation   \^\^

medicsansgarantee

Russia had already forced subsidiaries of foreign businesses to sell to Russian interests at fire sale prices.  They have already seized billions of dollars worth of aircraft and other foreign assets in Russia. Any announcement of asset seizure is of little consequence.  Any foreign entity still doing business in Russia has been doing it at their own risk and deserves anything coming to them.

Kind-Objective9513

If you are still doing business in Russia then you deserve to lose it all. Loan on.

Mental_Passion_4034

I wonder if EU remembers about this: [Saudi Arabia ‘Veiled Threat’ to G7 Over Russia Assets - Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-07-09/saudi-arabia-veiled-threat-to-g7-over-russia-assets)

fan_is_ready

Pure theft?? Theft???

Complaining about theft when you’re committing murder???? Torture???? Child abduction????

Theft???

Main_Product5071

To stop the EU from seizing Russian assets, the Russian oligarchs will seize Russian assets. 🧠

kytheon

I 100% am fine with Russia seizing companies who are still doing business there.  They had plenty of warning to get out by now.  And they should have left in 2014 when Russia first started this nonsense. 

Sometimes Morals are just also good business.  Im fine with them losing it all.

greywar777

After all that Russia has stolen from Ukraine they should be grateful theyre only losing $140B.

ProjectNo4090

CoatForeign2948

I call it, war karma, "pure theft", what's this then -&gt; [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanian\_Treasure](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanian_Treasure) , care to return all that gold?

Zippan55

I thought ruZZia said they were at war with us. And now they are complaining when we act aggressive towards them?

Nunc-dimittis

Foreign entities shouldn't have stakes in Russia by this point. Am I supposed to be upset about Russia seizing their assets?

BrainEatingAmoeba01

Hasn’t Russia already been seizing businesses to steal all their money?

Possible_End_5272

Great, noone will invest any money in the EU anymore, well done, great job for the economy ...

Moe112

Still cannot believe russians are not demanding Putin to resign over the mess he created for the country.

Any-Ad-446

horny-rustacean

Dangerous Precedent, and according to existing Precedent implies that those same Nations are now Belligerents in the conflict.

The 'loan' part is a pure fabrication, since you can't place as collateral something that does not belong to you.

TerencetheGreat

I mean it ain't like Putin ain't salivating to go in on Europe (not that he would win in that fight) but they have no reason to allow Russia to use assets they can deny it to a cause that further incapacitated Russia's ability to make further aggression possible.

Putin is mortal, if he's kept weaker longer he dies of old age. Might see a death of Stalin or worse power struggle or collapse of unity in Russia that can be used to reshape the new states into docile to Europe nations.

Pure pragmatism to protect themselves honestly.

InfiniteCalico

[deleted]

Lusch9120

The risk that Russia gets upset? Oh no! We’re way past that. Hand all the assets to Ukraine right now.

yosarian_reddit

Last I heard about Belgium's government was that they couldn't form one, now some sort of pack of cowards has taken over?

RevoOps

EU leaders are considering a controversial plan to use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine's post-war reconstruction.

EU Plans to Use Frozen Russian Assets for Ukraine

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