Russian assets seized in Ireland could be used to rebuild Ukraine - Minister

Over EUR 1 billion in frozen Russian assets could be seized to pay for the reconstruction of Ukraine, Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has said.

That’s according to Irish Times, Ukrinform reports.

The State has already frozen EUR 1.2 billion in Russian-linked funds under an extensive EU sanctions regime – but in reply to a parliamentary question, Coveney indicated the State would be open to going one step further and seizing it.

Read also: France freezes over $25B worth of Russian assets

The Opposition is arguing that the funds could also be used to help foot the bill for humanitarian aid given to refugees from Ukraine.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, referring to Prime  Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal, one of the sources for financing the country's recovery fund will be Russian assets frozen abroad, estimated at a total of US$300 billion.