EU to continue to 'focus prudently' on possible use of frozen Russian assets - von der Leyen

BRUSSELS. June 30 (Interfax) - The participants in the European Union's summit in Brussels on June 29-30 discussed the possible use of Russian assets frozen in the EU to aid Ukraine's recovery, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said.

"We will focus prudently on the windfall profits from the immobilized assets of the Russian central bank," von der Leyen said at a press conference following a European Council meeting, whose key agenda items included the EU's assistance for Ukraine.

Von der Leyen said that, in considering ways to use profits from frozen Russian assets, it is important not to undermine confidence in EU institutions, and therefore, the European Central Bank's worries about such plans should be studied closely.

Ulf Kristersson, prime minister of Sweden, which is currently holding EU presidency, highlighted the importance of work being done by a high-level group to examine legal aspects of plans to use profits from frozen Russian assets.

The summit's communique adopted by the EU heads of state and government says that the European leaders, along with the European Commission and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, will coordinate their position with partners on how frozen Russian assets could be used to aid Ukraine.

"The European Council took stock of the work done regarding Russia's immobilized assets, and invites the Council, the High Representative and the Commission to take work forward, in accordance with EU and international law, and in coordination with partners," the document says.