Russia vows 'harshest reaction' as EU mulls use of frozen assets for Ukraine

Russia has warned that any "illegal action" by the European Union regarding its frozen assets will provoke "the harshest reaction," with Moscow already preparing its response.

The statement came on Thursday as tensions rise over the EU’s handling of Russian assets amid ongoing sanctions.

On Wednesday, the European Commission proposed an unprecedented plan to raise 90 billion euros ($105 billion) for Ukraine by utilising frozen Russian assets or through international borrowing.

The proposal aims to support Ukraine’s military and basic services amid the ongoing war with Russia. To bypass potential vetoes from EU countries sympathetic to Russia, such as Hungary and Slovakia, the Commission plans to invoke emergency powers.

In response, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned that any “illegal actions” involving Russia’s frozen assets would provoke a “harsh reaction.”

She added that Moscow was already preparing countermeasures should its assets be seized.

The EU has been deliberating for months on a legal mechanism that would allow the use of Russian assets to finance loans for Ukraine. However, Belgium, where most of the frozen assets are held, has expressed strong opposition.

The country has demanded guarantees from other EU members to share responsibility if the legality of the plan is challenged.

Zakharova criticised the ongoing debate within the EU, claiming that “rational forces” in the bloc were attempting to block the proposal, as it would be illegal.

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