Ukraine asks Trump to sell it weapons for money from frozen russian assets

Ukraine has asked the administration of US President Donald Trump to allow the use of frozen russian assets worth $300 billion to buy American-made weapons.

It is noted that the idea of using russian assets to purchase American weapons has been voiced in recent weeks at meetings between representatives of Ukraine, some of its allies, and representatives of the Trump team. One source said that this was also proposed directly to Trump, but “there is no indication that the president supports this idea.”

Earlier, when Joe Biden was president of the United States, a number of European countries insisted on asset confiscation. And this proposal was again voiced by some of Ukraine's allies after Trump's arrival.

A European diplomat suggested that since most of these assets are kept in Europe, “this is a card that Europeans can use in possible negotiations to resolve the situation in Ukraine.” However, the publication reminds that several European countries are against this step.

For example, Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium fear that the confiscation of assets will affect financial stability and also carries legal and other risks.

Russian officials, in turn, have promised to take action in case of asset confiscation. According to russian media, the government has developed a procedure for seizing property owned by foreigners in russia.

However, Ukrainian officials and some of their allies believe that there are economic and legal arguments in their favor. In particular, Trump wants Ukraine to pay for any ongoing US military assistance. And the use of assets could ensure this decision, as well as benefit the United States and its defense companies.

Ukrainian officials also cite lawyers who believe that russian assets could be offset against future war damages that Moscow could potentially owe Ukraine.

Source: Bloomberg