Confiscation of frozen russian assets is an important resource for the US in the next steps regarding Ukraine, — Kira Rudik

Both in the issue of the supply of weapons from the US to Ukraine and the context of potential conditions for negotiations, the frozen assets of the russian federation are a valuable resource. However, it remains unclear how the new administration of Donald Trump will want to use it. Until this decision is made, the Ukrainian side should make efforts to keep these assets at least immobilized. Ukrainian MP and «Golos» party leader Kira Rudik is convinced of this.  «We closely monitor the statements of Donald Trump and his team regarding Ukraine. The first question is whether the US will continue to help us with weapons and ammunition. The second is whether Washington will force Kyiv to negotiate, or how else the new American president will end the war, as promised. The issue of confiscation of frozen russian assets concerns both of these points. One of the models that may finally work is that the US will supply weapons to Ukraine, but payment for them will come from the frozen assets of the russian federation. An equally important question is whether these assets are considered a bargaining chip in the negotiations with the russian federation»,  — the politician explains. Mostrussian funds are now in the Belgian depository Euroclear, so any actions with them depend on the cooperation of the US and the EU.  «We do not know yet what the White House will decide, but we must concentrate at least on ensuring that these funds are not unfrozen and returned to moscow. There should be work with both Republicans and Democrats while keeping pace with European partners. Unfortunately, three years of work by Ukrainian diplomats and activists at all levels did not convince Europe to confiscate this money. It is obvious that it simply will not happen, but we already know that there is nothing impossible», — the leader of «Golos» summarizes.