This is reported by Kyiv24
Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga commented on Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s reaction to the European Union’s decision regarding the freezing of Russian Federation assets. Orbán criticized this initiative, calling it a “declaration of war” and claiming that it violates European law.
Positions of Ukraine and Hungary on Freezing Russian Assets
Andriy Sybiga responded on social media to Viktor Orbán’s post condemning the EU’s actions. The Ukrainian diplomat noted:
“The most valuable frozen asset of Russia in Europe.”
At the same time, Sybiga did not clarify to whom or what this characterization was addressed. In his speech, Orbán also stated that Brussels’ decision to freeze assets supposedly “bypasses Hungary and violates European law in broad daylight.” According to him, the Hungarian government will not support “this perverse Brussels scheme.”
EU Decision and the Possibility of Indefinite Asset Freezing
On December 12, the European Union agreed to the possibility of indefinite freezing of Russian assets by changing the relevant procedures. Now, a qualified majority of votes from member states is sufficient to keep these funds frozen, in accordance with Article 122 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU. This decision was supported by 25 out of 27 countries in the bloc, allowing for action without unanimous support.
On the eve, ambassadors of EU member states made procedural changes that allow for the indefinite retention of sanctioned assets. This enables Europe to respond more flexibly to financial challenges related to sanctions against the Russian Federation.
At the same time, discussions continue in Europe regarding the possibility of providing Ukraine with a so-called “reparations loan” amounting to 140 billion euros secured by frozen Russian assets. Belgium, where the majority of the funds are held, is categorically opposed to this idea. Belgian authorities fear legal claims from Russia regarding the potential use of these funds for the benefit of Ukraine.
Russia firmly rejects any attempts to confiscate its assets and considers the use of these resources for the benefit of Ukraine to be illegal appropriation.