EU Commission President Suggests Allocating Frozen Russian Assets to Support Ukraine's Military Needs

On February 28 in Brussels, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed a bold strategy for the European Union to bolster Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression. Von der Leyen suggested that the EU should take the unprecedented step of channeling profits from Russian assets, which have been frozen due to the ongoing conflict, to fund the purchase of military equipment for Ukraine.

Starting the Conversation

Speaking to the European Parliament, von der Leyen underscored that now is the appropriate time to discuss using these frozen assets for a cause that would enhance the security of Ukraine and Europe as a whole. She emphasized that investing this money into Ukraine's military capabilities would not only represent a powerful symbol of support but would also serve a significant and beneficial purpose.

Preparing for the Future

In her speech detailing the EU's future actions, von der Leyen talked about the necessity for the EU to develop stronger defense policies. Although she stated that an imminent threat of war seems unlikely, it would be unwise to dismiss the possibility entirely. Therefore, she urged the need for EU member states to refocus on strengthening, updating, and modernizing their armed forces.

New Strategies in Defence

The President also alluded to an upcoming European Industrial Defence Strategy that the commission is developing. This new strategy aims to prioritize collaborative approaches to procurement and will focus on enhancing the defence industry in Europe. According to von der Leyen, Europe should ambitiously strive to develop and produce advanced military technologies to ensure that it remains capable and competitive in the face of future threats.

EU Defence and NATO

In her address, von der Leyen reassured that increased European defense efforts will complement, rather than diminish, the existing North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliance. She believes that a more autonomous Europe, particularly in defense matters, is crucial to the fortification of NATO.

EU, Ukraine, Military