On the third day of the plenary session at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, the freezing of Russian assets was discussed. PiS MEPs Michał Dworczyk and Arkadiusz Mularczyk, speaking during the debate, called for the assets to be transferred to Ukraine.
Michał Dworczyk said that for three years, Russian missiles have been destroying Ukrainian cities, killing civilians, and turning entire regions into ruins. He added that throughout this time, Ukraine’s allies have been seeking financial resources to support the country in this unequal struggle. “At the same time, nearly $300 billion in frozen Russian assets sit in Western banks—money that could help Ukraine,” — noted the PiS MEP, pointing out that the largest portion of these funds is held in the European Union, which, in successive resolutions and documents, “delights in emphasizing its role in supporting Ukraine.” “In reality, the EU’s support perfectly illustrates the saying that ‘while Russia occupies more and more Ukrainian territory, the EU occupies… only a position,’” the Polish politician stated. The MEP wondered why these words remain relevant today and why the declarations are not followed by concrete actions—“real ones, not just those on paper.” “The issue of frozen Russian assets is another striking example of such ‘paper action,’” Dworczyk said, pointing out that legal mechanisms do exist to transfer these funds to aid Ukraine. “Russia has no moral or legal grounds to demand the return of this money. That is why I appeal to the governments of countries where Russian assets are located: the time has come to act. We must transfer the first billions right now,” urged the PiS politician, emphasizing that every day of delay means more casualties in Ukraine.
Arkadiusz Mularczyk said that, as the author of a report on Poland’s wartime losses, he knows how crucial funding is for the country’s post-war reconstruction. “Poland never received a Marshall Plan, and Germany continues to this day to evade paying reparations,” the MEP recalled.
The MEP noted that history is repeating itself today, and that EU institutions as well as the governments of Belgium and Germany are delaying the transfer of frozen Russian assets to Ukraine. “Belgium holds over 250 billion euros, which, instead of sitting in bank accounts, should be used for Ukraine’s reconstruction. We urge the Belgian government, the European Commission, and the European Council to take action,” the PiS politician urged.
The Polish politician emphasized that war devastates countries for generations, and if we do not act now, “we are condemning Ukraine and its people to decades of loss and stagnation.” “Let’s not allow history to once again become a lesson that no one has learned,” Mularczyk urged.
