The Prime Minister of Sweden Ulf Kristersson noted on February 14, 2023, that the EU Working Group will be created in the European Union to look at using frozen Russian assets for the recovery of Ukraine.
Source: The Prime Minister of Sweden Ulf Kristersson
“In principle, it is clear-cut: Russia must pay for the reconstruction of Ukraine. At the same time, this poses difficult questions. This must be done in accordance with EU and international law, and there is currently no direct model for this,” informed the Prime Minister of Sweden.
The Working Group should be created in response to the latest meeting of the European Council, which was attended by EU heads of state and government.
“The Working Group will carry out a legal, financial, economic and political analysis of the possibilities of using frozen Russian assets,” added the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Coreper II (Committee of Permanent Representatives of the Governments of the Member States of the European Union), will make the decision about the mandate of the Working Group. It will take place on February 15, 2023. Ambassador Anders Anlid (CEO of the Swedish National Board of Trade) will chair the Working Group.
“Part of the preparatory work will involve obtaining a clearer picture of where Russian state-owned assets are located and their total value. The work will be carried out in close cooperation with the Freeze and Seize Task Force, led by the European Commission,” concluded the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
See also: EU justice ministers discussed the penalty for Russian crimes committed in Ukraine
