Consistently continue the sanctions policy – Frozen funds of the Russian central bank for reconstruction in Ukraine
Vienna (OTS / SK) – Today, the heads of state and government of the EU are meeting in Brussels. SPÖ-EU Head of Delegation Andreas Schieder comments: “The Russian energy system is showing clear cracks, which can no longer be overlooked since last weekend. The lies that justify Russia’s brutal attack on Ukraine have been publicly exposed, the military is operating in a chaotic and divided manner, and the authority of Russian President Vladimir Putin has been severely undermined. The EU must deal with this new reality, as an escalating struggle by Russian elites poses an overarching security threat far beyond Ukraine. Russia is a nuclear power and to this day there is no organized and democratic opposition to Putin’s authoritarian regime.” ****
“The EU must consistently continue its sanctions policy. The recently decided eleventh sanctions package placed a major focus on circumventing existing sanctions. However, other areas are still left out. For example, there is still no embargo on Russian blood diamonds. By trading in these luxury goods, we are funding the Russian war of aggression in the billions. This has to finally end,” says Schieder. The head of the SPÖ-UE delegation expressly welcomes the use of frozen Russian central bank funds for reconstruction in Ukraine: “Russia is bombing Ukrainian bridges, hospitals and schools. And we can ask Russia to pay for it. I hope that today the EU Commission will be instructed by the EU states to continue to seek legally secure procedures for using Russian central bank funds that have been frozen in the EU for reconstruction in Ukraine.” (End) jf /up
Questions and contact:
Jacob Flossman
Spokesperson for the SPÖ delegation at the European Parliament
+43 660 562 11 99
[email protected]