---
title: "EU Commissioner: Frozen Russian Assets Will Remain in EU Until Ukraine Receives Reparations"
description: "EU Commissioner Dombrovskis stated on November 9 that frozen Russian assets in the EU will remain frozen until Ukraine receives reparations, and in case of non-payment, Brussels reserves the right to use them."
date: 2026-11-09T21:33:01.766Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/eu-commissioner-russian-assets-frozen-until-reparations
tags: [russia, eu, frozen-assets, reparations, ukraine, dombrovskis, european-commission]
author: "Andrey Kosynko"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# EU Commissioner: Frozen Russian Assets Will Remain in EU Until Ukraine Receives Reparations

## Key Points

- Frozen Russian sovereign assets in the EU will remain frozen until Russia pays reparations to Ukraine
- Under the terms of the 90-billion loan, Ukraine repays funds only after Moscow begins reparation payments
- The EU has explicitly provided the right to use frozen assets in case of non-payment of reparations
- Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever categorically opposed discussing the use of CBR assets at the October 16 summit

European Commissioner for Economy Valdis Dombrovskis has stated that the sovereign assets of the Russian Federation frozen within the European Union will remain frozen until Moscow pays reparations to Ukraine for the damage caused by the war. In the event of non-payment, the EU reserves the right to use these assets. The statement was made on the sidelines of the EU Economic and Financial Affairs Council meeting in Brussels on Monday, November 9, 2026.

### The 90-Billion Loan Mechanism and Link to Reparations

Dombrovskis reminded that under the terms of the EU's 90-billion-euro support loan to Ukraine, Kyiv will be required to repay the funds only after Russia begins paying reparations. "As for the frozen Russian assets, we know that currently, regarding the support loan we are providing to Ukraine, Ukraine will only have to repay it when Russia pays reparations," the European Commissioner explained. Thus, the financial burden on Ukraine's budget is conditionally deferred until the period preceding the start of reparation payments by Moscow.

### EU's Right to Use Assets in Case of Non-Payment

The Commissioner emphasized that the European Union has provided in its regulatory framework for the possibility of using Russian sovereign assets if Moscow fails to start paying reparations. "This means that if Russia does not pay reparations, we have explicitly provided that in such a case the European Union reserves the right to use the frozen Russian sovereign assets," Dombrovskis stated. According to him, this issue does not disappear from Brussels' radar and remains on the agenda of EU institutions.

### The Issue Remains on the EU Council Agenda

"So, this issue has not disappeared from our radar. It is also worth noting that there are decisions stating that Russian assets must remain frozen until Russia pays reparations to Ukraine. Therefore, it is obvious that this issue remains with us," Valdis Dombrovskis concluded. His words confirm that the topic of frozen assets was not removed from consideration following recent discussions at the level of heads of state and government, but continues to be a subject of active work at the level of commissioners and councils.

### Belgium's Position: De Wever's Categorical Objection

Against the backdrop of Dombrovskis's statements, it is worth recalling the position voiced at the EU leaders' summit on October 16, 2026. Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever strongly opposed discussing the idea of using the frozen assets of the Central Bank of Russia. Subsequently, de Wever stated that he is convinced the European Commission will not propose any new operations related to Russian assets to cover Ukraine's financial needs. Thus, within the EU, a divergence persists between the institutional position of the European Commission, which allows for the use of assets as a last resort, and the position of several national governments, which insist on maintaining the status quo of the freeze without further steps.

### Context: What Lies Behind the Discussion

The discussion regarding the fate of frozen Russian sovereign assets in Europe has been ongoing for several years and has become a key element of financial support for Ukraine. The amount of frozen assets is estimated in the hundreds of billions of euros, and their status—whether frozen, used as collateral for borrowing, or directly confiscated—determines the volume of funds available to Kyiv without placing an additional burden on the budgets of EU member states. Dombrovskis's statement on November 9, 2026, records that the baseline scenario remains unchanged: assets are frozen, tied to the reparation process, and the right to use them is retained as an instrument of pressure on Moscow.

## Accounts differ

### Use of frozen Russian assets in the EU

- **European Commission (Valdis Dombrovskis):** The EU has explicitly provided the right to use frozen Russian sovereign assets if Russia does not pay reparations; the issue remains on the agenda ([rus.err.ee](https://rus.err.ee/1610190706/evrokomissar-aktivy-rf-v-es-budut-zamorozheny-poka-rossija-ne-vyplatit-reparacii))
- **Government of Belgium (Bart de Wever):** Categorically against discussing the idea of using frozen assets of the Russian Central Bank; convinced that the European Commission will not propose new operations related to Russian assets ([rus.err.ee](https://rus.err.ee/1610190706/evrokomissar-aktivy-rf-v-es-budut-zamorozheny-poka-rossija-ne-vyplatit-reparacii))

*Where they agree:* Frozen Russian sovereign assets remain frozen; the question of their status is discussed within EU institutions

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Еврокомиссар: активы РФ в ЕС будут заморожены, пока Россия не выплатит репарации](https://rus.err.ee/1610190706/evrokomissar-aktivy-rf-v-es-budut-zamorozheny-poka-rossija-ne-vyplatit-reparacii) - Primary source. Full quotes from Dombrovskis, context of the 90-billion loan, mention of de Wever's position from the October 16 summit.
- [Еврокомиссар назвал условие разморозки активов России](https://www.gazeta.ru/politics/news/2026/11/09/29706607.shtml) - Confirms the key thesis: assets are frozen until reparations are paid, the EU reserves the right to use them. Dates match (November 9, 2026).

## FAQ

### What did Dombrovskis say about the fate of frozen Russian assets?

The European Commissioner stated that the assets will remain frozen until Russia pays reparations to Ukraine. In case of non-payment, the EU reserves the right to use these assets.

### What is the connection between the 90-billion loan and reparations?

Under the loan terms, Ukraine is obliged to repay the funds only after Russia starts paying reparations. Until that moment, no financial burden applies to Kyiv.

### What is Belgium's position on the use of assets?

Prime Minister Bart de Wever categorically opposed discussing the idea of using frozen assets of the Russian Central Bank at the October 16, 2026 summit and stated his conviction that the European Commission will not propose new operations with these assets.