Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced that Moscow is preparing a "tough response" to the EU's decision on the use of frozen Russian assets. This was reported by Euractiv, writes UNN.
Details
On the eve of the decisive summit in Brussels, the Hungarian leader announced that he had personal communication with Vladimir Putin regarding the consequences of adopting a reparations loan scheme for Ukraine amounting to 210 billion euros.
According to Orbán, the Kremlin will closely monitor the results of each country's vote and will use "all instruments of international law" for a decisive response. The Hungarian Prime Minister emphasized that his country will not support the seizure of foreign exchange reserves and has already clearly stated its position.
The situation around the loan remains tense due to the following factors:
- The loan must be secured by the assets of the Russian central bank, most of which are stored in the Belgian depository Euroclear.
- In addition to Hungary, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever opposes the scheme, calling such an approach "fundamentally wrong."
- EU leaders must make a decision in a short time to ensure Ukraine's financial stability for the next two years.
I clearly state now that Hungary will not support the seizure of frozen foreign exchange reserves from any country, not just Russia
Recall
Belgium opposed the concessions proposed by the European Commission to unblock a loan for Ukraine amounting to 210 billion euros from frozen Russian assets.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha stated that the decision on the loan for Ukraine is critically important and urgent.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Wednesday, ahead of the European Union leaders' summit in Brussels, stated that finding a legal way to use frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine remains "far from simple."
President of the European Council António Costa noted that the EU will not impose a reparations loan for Ukraine at the EU leaders' summit on Thursday if Belgium opposes it.