Estonia plans to advance a draft law that, if approved, would allow the use of frozen funds related to Russia to solve the aftermath of the war in Ukraine, writes ERR News.
The Foreign Ministry of Estonia has indicated that it plans to prepare the law within a few months. Kerli Veski, head of the Ministry’s Legal Department, informed that in case Ukraine submits a claim to Russia for damage prevention, but the Russians refuse to pay or refuse to pay the entire amount demanded, the frozen assets could be used.
Veski added that a joint decision of the entire European Union would be desirable, however, it is very time-consuming.
The law in Estonia should be ready within the next few months, and the Justice Ministry has already prepared a draft.
About 350 billion dollars are needed to rebuild war-torn Ukraine.
The disposal of frozen assets and their use for other purposes is likely to run afoul of international law, under which a country retains some immunity in respect of its assets anyway.
The positions of Foreign and Justice ministers are currently occupied by representatives of the Isamaa party, but the party does not participate in the formation of the new coalition. Nevertheless, on the issue of Ukraine, Estonian political parties are united, which means that the change of the minister should not jeopardize the planned law.
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