Lithuania calls for frozen Russian assets to return to Ukraine funding debate

(Chris Lunday and Nicholas Vinocur – Politico) Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys said Europe should put frozen Russian assets back on the table as it looks for ways to sustain Ukraine financially and increase pressure on Moscow to negotiate a peace deal. Speaking at the POLITICO Speakeasy at Prague’s GLOBSEC on Saturday, Budrys said last year’s agreement on a €90 billion loan for Ukraine was a useful step, but not a final answer to Kyiv’s long-term needs. “It’s not the end,” Budrys said of the frozen assets debate, arguing that Russian state assets immobilized in Europe remain “the real resource of support to Ukraine” and “the real leverage to force Russia to negotiate.” – Lithuania calls for frozen Russian assets to return to Ukraine funding debate – POLITICO