The European Union has frozen more than €200 billion ($215 billion) in Russian central bank assets since Moscow invaded Ukraine, according to fresh numbers, adding impetus to discussions on how to use such funds to help rebuild the war-hit country.
EU nations reported the new numbers on the immobilized assets following the bloc’s 10th sanctions package, which forced banks to divulge information on the size of their holdings.
“The EU is committed to ensure that Russia pays for the damages caused in Ukraine,” said European Commission spokesman Christian Wigand, who confirmed the numbers. That’s why the EU is “exploring ways of using Russian frozen and immobilized assets for that purpose.”
