Statement of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiga expressed gratitude to four European colleagues for their letter regarding immobilized Russian assets. In his statement, Sybiga emphasized the importance of this issue, as Russia not only refuses to end the war but also escalates terror, highlighting the need for financing Ukraine's defense and reconstruction.
Sybiga noted that Ukraine urgently needs coverage for the rising expenses of defense and infrastructure recovery. He advocates for the use of frozen Russian assets instead of funds from European taxpayers. The Minister stressed that this issue should be addressed rationally, without emotions, to develop feasible solutions that comply with European norms and international law.
Hopes for constructive negotiations
He also expressed hope for constructive negotiations with colleagues from the European Union, scheduled for next week.
"I look forward to our discussions with EU colleagues next week to explore possible ways forward," Sybiga noted.
The ministers whom Andrii Sybiga thanked include:
- Maria Malmer Stenergard
- Radoslaw Sikorski
- Tomas Berendsen
- Jose Manuel Albares
The theme of the letter that united their efforts concerns immobilized Russian assets. Sybiga believes that through professional discussion and analysis, experts can find solutions that will mitigate risks and ensure a fair distribution of the burden among EU member states.
This initiative emphasizes the importance of international cooperation in addressing issues related to financing Ukraine's defense, especially amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. The use of frozen assets could become a key element in supporting the economy and restoring infrastructure, which in turn would help Ukraine strengthen its position on the international stage and ensure stability in the region.