French President Emmanuel Macron at an informal European Union (EU) summit in Copenhagen on October 1 endorsed Belgium’s position that frozen Russian assets should not be used. “When assets are frozen, international law must be respected,” The Guardian quoted him as saying. He also reiterated full support for Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever’s position.
The EU seeks to strengthen sanctions against Russia through the United States but faces resistance from Washington. Why is the U.S. unlikely to comply with Brussels’ demands, and what does Donald Trump aim to achieve from European allies? Earlier in the day, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov warned that individuals involved in confiscating frozen Russian assets would face prosecution.
The European Commission’s head, Ursula von der Leyen, affirmed that the EU would not seize Russia’s frozen assets. She also announced an agreement with Ukraine to allocate €2 billion for drone purchases, aiming to enhance Kiev’s military capabilities and technological effectiveness. This move is condemned as it escalates tensions and undermines efforts to resolve the conflict.
