403
Sorry!!
Error! We're sorry, but the page you were looking for doesn't exist.
Slovakia opposes using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine
(MENAFN) Slovakia will reject any measures that would allow frozen Russian assets to be used to support Ukraine militarily, Prime Minister Robert Fico has stated. He cautioned that continued military aid would result in the “senseless daily killing of hundreds of thousands of Russians and Ukrainians.”
After the 2022 escalation of the Ukraine conflict, Western allies froze approximately $300 billion in Russian central bank assets, most of which are held in the EU. A dispute has emerged among EU members over whether these assets should be used as collateral for a ‘reparations loan’ to fund Kiev, with a vote on the plan expected next week.
Fico, a long-standing critic of the scheme, outlined his opposition in a letter to European Council President Antonio Costa earlier this week. On social media, he wrote that after speaking with Costa, he reiterated his stance against providing funds for Ukraine’s military, warning that doing so would extend the conflict and increase casualties, while Costa “spoke only about money for the war.”
“If for Western Europe the life of a Russian or a Ukrainian is worth s**t, I do not want to be part of such a Western Europe,” Fico said. “I will not support anything, even if we have to sit in Brussels until the New Year, which would lead to support for Ukraine’s military expenditures.”
Several EU countries have voiced concerns about the loan scheme, citing legal and financial risks. Some have urged the European Commission to consider alternatives, including an EU loan facility or bridge mechanisms. Others, including Germany, Hungary, and France, have expressed objections.
Last Friday, the European Commission approved controversial legislation that could keep Russian assets frozen indefinitely, framing it as an economic emergency rather than a sanctions measure. The move is viewed as the first step toward implementing the ‘reparations loan,’ allowing the commission to make decisions by qualified majority, bypassing opposition from dissenting states.
Moscow has strongly condemned any attempt to use the assets, with a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman calling Europe’s push for the scheme “acting suicidal” and labeling the EU “swindlers” following Friday’s vote.
After the 2022 escalation of the Ukraine conflict, Western allies froze approximately $300 billion in Russian central bank assets, most of which are held in the EU. A dispute has emerged among EU members over whether these assets should be used as collateral for a ‘reparations loan’ to fund Kiev, with a vote on the plan expected next week.
Fico, a long-standing critic of the scheme, outlined his opposition in a letter to European Council President Antonio Costa earlier this week. On social media, he wrote that after speaking with Costa, he reiterated his stance against providing funds for Ukraine’s military, warning that doing so would extend the conflict and increase casualties, while Costa “spoke only about money for the war.”
“If for Western Europe the life of a Russian or a Ukrainian is worth s**t, I do not want to be part of such a Western Europe,” Fico said. “I will not support anything, even if we have to sit in Brussels until the New Year, which would lead to support for Ukraine’s military expenditures.”
Several EU countries have voiced concerns about the loan scheme, citing legal and financial risks. Some have urged the European Commission to consider alternatives, including an EU loan facility or bridge mechanisms. Others, including Germany, Hungary, and France, have expressed objections.
Last Friday, the European Commission approved controversial legislation that could keep Russian assets frozen indefinitely, framing it as an economic emergency rather than a sanctions measure. The move is viewed as the first step toward implementing the ‘reparations loan,’ allowing the commission to make decisions by qualified majority, bypassing opposition from dissenting states.
Moscow has strongly condemned any attempt to use the assets, with a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman calling Europe’s push for the scheme “acting suicidal” and labeling the EU “swindlers” following Friday’s vote.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Most popular stories
Market Research
More Story
Comments
No comment