Automatically translated version. May contain inaccuracies compared to the original.
European Commission does not consider finding new ways to use frozen Russian assets a priority
The European Commission currently does not consider searching for new ways to use frozen Russian assets for the benefit of Ukraine to be the main priority. In Brussels they are first trying to identify Ukraine's real financial needs.
This was stated at a briefing by a European Commission spokesperson in response to journalists' requests to confirm a Financial Times report that the EC has resumed work on finding new options for using frozen Russian assets.
According to the publication, the EC is seeking a mechanism that would be more acceptable, in particular, for Belgium. In that country, the majority of frozen assets of the Russian central bank are kept in the Euroclear depository.
However, Balashs Uiyvari, the EC spokesperson for economic matters, did not confirm that the Commission is working on a new mechanism for using Russian assets.
“First we need to determine the needs before we can potentially discuss ways to meet them. That is the situation at this moment,” said Uiyvari.
He also confirmed that the European Commission received a letter from 100 Members of the European Parliament calling to consider new possibilities for using Russian assets. According to the spokesman, the Commission is currently examining it.
Chief spokeswoman for the European Commission, Paola Pynyo, noted that after analyzing proposals it will be determined whether it is time for further actions and what they might be.
In the EC, together with the Ukrainian authorities and the International Monetary Fund, they are clarifying the possible additional financing gap for Ukraine.
According to Uiyvari, this week EU Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis held talks with the prime minister of Ukraine and the IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva on the state of Ukraine’s public finances.
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