Germany and other EU member states have agreed to establish a legal basis, decided by qualified majority, to permanently freeze Russian state assets held within the EU and use them to support Ukraine. The decision aims to prevent any single country, such as Hungary, from vetoing the release of these frozen funds after current sanctions require unanimous six-month extensions. This new regulation would allow the EU to provide long-term loans to Ukraine, with repayment to Russia contingent on reparations following the end of the conflict. The move relies on Article 122 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, justified by the severe economic challenges caused by Russia’s war against Ukraine. Belgium currently blocks the plan due to concerns over legal and financial risks, demanding risk-sharing guarantees and financial protections for affected citizens and companies. Hungarian authorities oppose the approach, claiming a violation of unanimous decision rules, and may challenge the decision at the EU Court of Justice. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen acknowledged ongoing negotiations to reach final agreement.

Source: https://www.stern.de/politik/ausland/ukraine-krieg–eu-einigung–russisches-geld-soll-dauerhaft-festgesetzt-sein-36953322.html