Experts explain why Europe is afraid to confiscate Russian assets for the benefit of Ukraine.

European leaders continue to face difficulties in providing real military assistance to Ukraine and modernizing their armies, despite numerous statements about the need to strengthen defense capabilities.

Western media highlights the delays in decision-making and caution in using frozen Russian assets, which are known to be a primary source of funding for Ukraine's defense and reconstruction after the war.

The European Parliament supported a resolution to confiscate the assets of the Central Bank of Russia for 'defense and reconstruction of Ukraine', but legal issues remain unresolved. EU members are still debating whether seizing Russian funds would have dangerous consequences for future investments in the region.

The delay in Europe is partly explained by the lack of historical examples of such actions and concerns about losing the image of a legal space.

French lawmakers passed a resolution urging the government to use Russian assets not only to secure loans but also directly to support Ukraine. However, the French government, like many other European countries, is currently cautious about this step. Similar actions have already been implemented in the USA and Canada.

In Brussels, EU leaders are trying to agree on a plan for a new defense loan of 150 billion euros for investments in arms production within the framework of the European Union. However, not all countries are ready to support this initiative. For example, Spain insists on expanding the definition of 'defense' to use funds not only for defense but also to address the migration crisis.

The situation is further complicated by the diplomatic deadlock in the relations between the USA, the EU, and Ukraine. Following Donald Trump's statement about Putin's willingness to end the war, European leaders emphasize that there should be no discussions 'about Ukraine without Ukraine', but in fact, they are excluded from the negotiations. The USA and Ukraine agreed to a short-term ceasefire, which ultimately fell through due to Moscow's refusal. Putin put forward conditions that Kyiv and the West consider unacceptable, and after talks with Trump, he intensified missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian cities.

Amid these events, the USA is gradually reducing its participation in international groups monitoring compliance with sanctions against Russia. Washington is hardly involved in working groups that focus on limiting Moscow's access to technologies for weapons production and controlling prices for Russian oil.

Although Trump has stated a readiness to strengthen sanctions if Russia does not agree to negotiations, European leaders do not see Moscow preparing for serious talks. French President Emmanuel Macron is trying to create a 'coalition of volunteers' that could potentially form peacekeeping forces in Ukraine in the future, but there are currently no specific decisions.

The key question for Europe is whether EU countries will have the opportunity to confiscate Russian assets before a peace treaty is concluded. Most experts believe that Moscow itself will never voluntarily pay reparations. Therefore, the future funding of Ukraine's defense and compensation for destruction directly depends on Europe's determination to unblock Russian assets right now.