Ministry plans bill to use frozen Russian assets in Ukraine compensation

Planned legislation which, if it were to pass at the Riigikogu could allow Ukrainian war damages to be compensated for from the proceeds of frozen assets of Russian origin, could set an example to the rest of Europe, it is hoped.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it plans to have the bill ready within a matter of months.

Merli Veski, who heads up the ministry's legal department, said that should Ukraine file a claim for damages against Russian Federation but the Russians refuse to pay, or to pay in full, frozen assets could be utilized.

Veski told ERR's radio news that: "If [an agreement] is not met, then we will examine legal options to potentially use frozen assets, as an advance payment for damages."

Veski noted that a pan-EU solution is preferable, but is time-consuming, whereas the principle could be enshrined in Estonian domestic law more quickly, thus blazing the trail for the rest of the union.

Veski said that this bill would be ready "in the coming months", adding a preliminary draft prepared by the Ministry of Justice was in hand, though was not finalized yet and so could not be made public.