EU to discuss options for using frozen Russian assets

This week, EU countries will discuss next steps for using funds from Russian assets frozen in the West, as well as the 19th package of anti-Russian sanctions, Politico reports.

As reported, a meeting of the bloc’s foreign ministers is scheduled for Aug. 31. The main topic will be “increasing pressure on Russia to force it to agree to a ceasefire,” which includes discussing the next sanctions package as well as “options for the further use” of funds obtained from frozen Russian assets.

A European diplomat noted that EU defense ministers will also hold in-person meetings on Aug. 28 and 29 to discuss providing military aid to Kyiv and supporting the Ukrainian defense industry. European foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas will participate in these meetings.

Politico notes that the official agenda does not include the issue of Ukraine’s security guarantees as part of potential peace agreements, though this topic could still be raised during discussions.