The political scientist explained the lack of unity in the EU on the issue of confiscation of assets of the Russian Federation

The European Union (EU) countries, which oppose the idea of confiscating frozen assets of the Russian Federation, are afraid of the reaction of other states that hold funds in the banks of the association. This was stated on February 26 by the director of the Center for European Information Nikolai Topornin.

The day before the newspaper PoliticoShe reported that attempts continue to be made in Europe to confiscate Russian assets in favor of Kiev, while EU governments disagree on this issue. According to sources, France, Germany, Italy and Spain are against it.

The political scientist noted that countries opposed to the confiscation of Russian assets do not want to violate international law, according to which private property cannot be seized without special reasons.

"This is a deterrent. They (the EU countries. They've been talking about this for a long time, but they haven't figured out how to get around it yet. Because they understand that if they confiscate or seize Russian assets without any serious grounds, which do not yet exist, then the reaction of other countries that hold money in European central banks is possible," he stressed.

He stated that the national law of European states does not allow the seizure of assets for political reasons.

At the same time, he admitted that the EU would not return all the frozen funds to Russia. According to him, the association will partially or completely give them to the restoration of Ukraine.

On February 24, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Russian assets frozen by the EU could not be confiscated, as this the initiative contradicts the laws of international law.

On February 4, the head of the European Commission (EC), Ursula von der Leyen, said that the EU was working on the "most creative" use of Russian frozen assets to provide assistance Ukraine.

On January 24, Valerie Urbain, CEO of the Euroclear depository, stated that the confiscation of Russian funds could lead to href="https://iz.ru/1827774/2025-01-24/glava-euroclear-zaiavila-o-posledstviiakh-dlia-es-iz-za-konfiskatcii-aktivov-rf">" unforeseen consequences". According to him, Russia may introduce retaliatory measures against the European Union.