frozen russian assets

France will tap income from frozen russian assets to help maintain some 60 French-made Caesar howitzers delivered to Ukraine, France's foreign minister said on Friday. "By mobilising income from frozen russian assets, France... will be able to ensure the continued maintenance of the Caesar cannons it has supplied to Ukraine to help resist Russian attacks," said Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.

Former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak urges Western nations to seize $300 billion in frozen russian assets to fund Ukraine's reconstruction. He argues that Russia, not Western taxpayers, should bear the cost for the destruction caused by its invasion of Ukraine, highlighting legal pathways and support from European leaders.

Presidents Putin and Trump are set to discuss a US-proposed Ukraine ceasefire. Considerable progress has been made toward a settlement, with Trump indicating that an agreement could be announced shortly. However, Russia seeks additional concessions from Ukraine, and the G7 warns of expanded sanctions if necessary.

The Czech Republic announced it would use interest from frozen russian assets in the EU to purchase hundreds of thousands of artillery shells for Ukraine. The EU nations had blocked Russian assets worth $300 billion since the 2022 invasion. This funding decision aims to bolster Ukraine's defense amid ongoing conflict with Russia.

Russia's London embassy condemned Britain's £2 billion aid package to Ukraine, funded by frozen russian assets, as a "fraudulent scheme." The UK clarified the G7-backed funds will bolster Ukraine's military, including developing long-range drones. Russia's Foreign Ministry echoed the criticism, labeling similar US aid as "robbery."

EU faces Russian retaliation over using frozen assets to support Ukraine. US plans to accelerate income from assets to aid Ukraine. G7 negotiates on $300 billion in frozen russian assets. Russia's retaliation options limited by reduced foreign investment, potentially targeting private investors' funds.

Under Vladimir Putin's decree, Russia plans to identify US property for compensation in response to frozen russian assets after the Ukraine invasion. G7 negotiators are discussing the use of $300 billion in Russian financial assets. Russian entities can claim compensation in the form of US assets or property in Russia.

On Wednesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged for proceeds from Russian assets frozen in the West to be used to purchase military weapons for Ukraine. Calls have been made to discover ways to help Kyiv's war effort by tapping into bank accounts, investments, and other assets that were frozen after Russia invaded its neighbor in 2022.

G7 finance ministers are expected Saturday to agree a broad plan to use interest from frozen russian assets for Ukraine, paving the way for a potential agreement among leaders next month. Any detailed agreement would require the approval of G7 leaders, who meet next month in Puglia, but observers have suggested that a deal "in principle" could be agreed on Saturday.

President Biden and president Macron agreed to use profits from frozen russian assets to support Ukraine. The plan involves leveraging these funds to secure a $50 billion loan, despite concerns and objections from Russia, which views this as theft.

Russia will confiscate assets belonging to European Union states it deems unfriendly if the bloc "steals" frozen Russian funds in a drive to fund Ukraine, a top ally of President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday. Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, said on Friday that the EU executive was working on a proposal to pool some of the profits derived from frozen Russian state assets to help Ukraine and its post-war reconstruction.

Russia has warned that it will seize assets of unfriendly European Union (EU) member states if the EU decides to use frozen Russian funds to support Ukraine's recovery. Vyacheslav Volodin, a key ally of President Vladimir Putin, stated that if the EU takes action against Russian assets, Moscow will respond by imposing higher costs on the EU. This comes after Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, mentioned the possibility of using profits from frozen Russian state assets for Ukraine's reconstruction.