Part 5/9:
In a surprising turn, Estonia has suggested that the EU should go further—seize the assets instead of merely freezing them. The Estonian foreign minister proposed forming a coalition of willing countries, including the G7 nations and Norway, to confiscate Russian sovereign funds permanently. This approach aims to prevent Russia from ever accessing these assets again, even if sanctions expire.
However, this proposal faces significant legal and political hurdles. Many EU countries are wary of setting such a precedent, fearing it could destabilize international financial norms and provoke retaliatory measures from Russia. Moreover, logistical challenges and differing national interests make a unified action unlikely.