Estonia is ready to be the first in the EU to introduce a legal framework for the effective confiscation of frozen russian assets and their transfer to Ukraine. And this example can be an impetus for other countries and the entire European Union.
This was emphasized by the Vice-Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Olena Kondratiuk, commenting on the intention of the Government of Estonia to develop and present the appropriate legal framework for the confiscation of russian assets by the end of January.
Estonia is planning to present its plan before the European Commission develops a common bloc agreement on how to deal with these funds.
The Vice-Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine noted that, according to preliminary data, 20 million euros of russian funds were frozen in Estonia, which is almost 800 million UAH. At the same time, the EU has frozen 300 billion euros of reserves of the Central Bank of russia and billions of euros of individuals who have fallen under sanctions.
In this context, Olena Kondratiuk supported the position of the Prime Minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas that the EU members should continue to work on ensuring accountability for the crime of aggression and use the frozen assets of russia.
«I support this approach and welcome the leadership of the Prime Minister of Estonia in this matter! I hope that the example of Estonia will be an impetus for other countries and the entire EU. Ukraine and the Ukrainian people have an unconditional and full right to fair compensation for all the losses and destruction caused by the russian invasion, » stressed Olena Kondratiuk.
According to the Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, first of all, they should be covered by confiscation of assets of the aggressor country and terrorist russia and sanctioned persons responsible for the invasion and numerous war crimes in Ukraine.
«We cannot wait for these funds for years and decades – they are needed to support, restore and rebuild Ukraine today! » said Olena Kondratiuk.
It should be reminded that in May last year the Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Olena Kondratiuk held a working meeting with the Prime Minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas. During the meeting the parties discussed the issues of assistance and provision of educational and social services to internally displaced persons from Ukraine, food security, advocacy for granting Ukraine the status of an EU candidate country and Estonia's participation in the reconstruction of Zhytomyr region.