France to use frozen Russian assets for Ukraine howitzer upkeep

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot speaks to journalists throughout UA-EU international Minister’s assembly in Lviv, Ukraine, on May 9, 2025.
| Photo Credit: Mykola Tys

France will faucet earnings from frozen Russian assets to assist preserve some 60 French-made Caesar howitzers delivered to Ukraine, France’s Foreign Minister mentioned on Friday (May 9, 2025).

The announcement got here throughout a go to by EU Foreign Ministers to the western Ukrainian metropolis of Lviv, the place they authorised the creation of a particular tribunal to prosecute Russia’s prime management over the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha and France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot pose for an image after a signing ceremony throughout Ukraine-EU assembly, amid Russia’s assault on Ukraine, in Lviv, Ukraine on May 9, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
Reuters

Since the conflict began, the European Union and G7 nations have frozen some 300 billion euros ($327 billion) in Russian Central Bank assets, in accordance to the EU, in addition to non-public assets like yachts and actual property.

“By mobilising income from frozen Russian assets, France… will be able to ensure the continued maintenance of the Caesar cannons it has supplied to Ukraine to help resist Russian attacks,” mentioned Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.

During Friday’s (May 9, 2025) assembly, the EU’s prime diplomat Kaja Kallas mentioned the bloc had pledged a further one billion euros to strengthen Ukraine’s defence trade.

“We want peace, and today the only obstacle to peace is in Moscow, parading around under the name of Vladimir Putin,” mentioned mr. Barrot, including that strain have to be placed on the Russian chief to agree to a ceasefire.

The announcement coincided with Moscow’s massive Red Square navy parade, the place Mr. Putin, in entrance of key allies together with China’s Xi Jinping, vowed Russia could be victorious in Europe.

With U.S. President Donald Trump threatening to withdraw American help, European leaders are stepping up efforts to bolster Ukraine and strengthen its place forward of potential peace talks.

EU nations are already utilizing earnings from frozen Russian assets to assist arm Ukraine and finance its post-war reconstruction, a windfall value 2.5 to three billion euros a 12 months.