British Deputy Foreign Secretary Leo Docherty told members of the House of Commons that Western nations are still grappling with the legal path to confiscate Russian assets to aid Ukraine, an obstacle acknowledged by multiple allied governments. The update arrives as commentators in Canada and the United States weigh similar options, focusing on whether existing laws can be interpreted or amended to allow for the transfer of frozen assets to Ukraine’s relief and rebuilding efforts. Observers note that while several allied parliaments have proposed bills aimed at enabling asset use, no jurisdiction has yet established a universally accepted, legally justified framework for this imperative. Docherty indicated that, despite evaluating and endorsing various proposals, Britain remains dedicated to pursuing every lawful avenue to unlock Russia’s assets, engaging partners in ongoing discussions about the best mechanisms to apply these assets for Ukraine’s needs. (Source: TASS)
In related remarks, Ursula von der Leyen, who previously led the European Commission, described to Nikkei the bloc’s ongoing search for viable routes to deploy frozen Russian Central Bank assets to support Ukraine’s reconstruction. The European Union is actively exploring proposals that would unlock revenue or capital tied up in these reserves, with officials signaling readiness to advance concrete plans in the near term. This stance aligns with the interests of North American allies who are watching closely how legal and political hurdles may be overcome, alongside considerations of international law, sovereignty concerns, and the practicalities of international finance. (Source: Nikkei)