
European Commissioner for Economy addresses potential for renewed discussions on frozen assets
European Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis expressed readiness to return the issue of seizing frozen Russian assets to the EU agenda, despite previous disagreements among member states regarding the proposal to aid Ukraine.
AI-generated summary
The EU and G7 have frozen approximately 300 billion euros in Russian assets. Previous legislative proposals for seizure faced resistance from member states, notably Belgium.
BRUSSELS, September 11. /TASS/. European Commissioner for Economy Valdis Dombrovskis found it difficult to answer which factors could provoke a new discussion on the expropriation of frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine, but stated his readiness to return this topic to the agenda.
"I do not know what specifically could provoke the resumption of discussions. But we are ready to participate in them and to return this issue to the agenda," he said in an interview with Euronews.
Dombrovskis added that the European Commission put forward a specific legislative proposal last year on the seizure of these assets. However, member states were unable to reach agreement, in large part due to resistance from Belgium.
The EU and G7 countries have frozen about 300 billion euros in Russian assets. About 185 billion euros is held in the Belgian depository Euroclear. In December 2025, the Central Bank of Russia filed a lawsuit with the Moscow Arbitration Court against Euroclear for 18.2 trillion rubles ($216 bln). This amount includes frozen funds, the value of blocked securities, as well as lost profits.
The use of Russian frozen assets by European countries is qualified as a crime and will be punished, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated at a briefing on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum.

Cypriot journalist Alex Christoforou said that Western media are publishing materials about Kyivβs loss in order to prepare citizens for the imminent collapse of Ukraine and the recognition of the ineffectiveness of the allocated financial assistance.

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated at the BRICS Business Forum in New Delhi that the bloc seeks global cooperation rather than isolation. He emphasized that BRICS is not operating in opposition to any party and aims to boost trade and economic ties.

The head of British counterintelligence MI5, Ken McCallum, warned that the UK faces a dual threat: terrorism and hostile states, which he called "dragons". McCallum noted that strategic risks from states are now comparable to terrorist risks.

Russia expects the resumption of trilateral negotiations to resolve the conflict in Ukraine in the near future. Presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov confirmed the Kremlinβs readiness for dialogue.

Historian Marta Gavrishko criticized Kirill Budanovβs words about Ukraineβs readiness to fight βas long as it takes,β questioning the interests behind this decision. The Kremlin is calling on Kyiv to negotiate amid the situation at the front.

Leonid Slutsky, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, condemned Houthi militia attacks on Saudi Arabian civilian and economic targets, citing violations of international law and threats to maritime security in the Red Sea.