Brussels 21.03.2024 Today at the European People’s Party (EPP) Summit which preceded the European Union Summit of the heads of states and governments, the EPP leader Manfred Weber called for non-recognition of the results of Russian “fake elections”. Manfred Weber is a German politician who has served as President of the European People’s Party (EPP) since 2022 and as Leader of the EPP Group in the European Parliament since 2014. While entering the EPP Summit, which allows leaders from our political family to discuss and prepare an agenda, and reach common positions, prior to meetings of the European Council, he expressed his views on various issues to be in the focus of the European leaders.

Taking into consideration the context of Russian aggression of Ukraine, and March presidential elections resulted in continuation of Vladimir Putin, 71, fifth term in the office, and perspective of staying in power uninterrupted until 2036, Weber defined Kremlin regime as an “autocratic dictatorship”. Subsequently he called for non-recognition of these “fake elections” in Russia. It is for the EU diplomacy to react with refusal to recognize these elections, said Weber, adding that the it would be just not to recognize this regime guided by Putin.

Once again the leader of the EPP expressed his firm support to Ukraine.

Nowadays the EU aims to expropriate frozen Russian assets and end 3 billion euros per year to Ukraine, the European Commission announced on March 20, with the first funds potentially transferred in July.

The Russian central bank holds around €210bn within the EU – mainly at the Euroclear depositary in Belgium – that have been frozen since the invasion started  in February 2022.T

The EU officials proposed to use interest on those assets to finance Ukraine armed forces – fulfilling a longstanding promise that has been delayed by concerns of wider economic and political ramifications from the unprecedented move.

“Making decisions to expropriate someone else’s property, one way or another, will have a very serious impact on the global economy, law, prospects for economic development, and the general investment climate. This could be a serious shock to all the foundations of the world economy,” the Kremlin representative said, reacting upon the intentions of the EU.

“Our position is utmost simple and clear. They are trying to raise the issue of expropriation of our assets, our property. This is an encroachment on private property, these are illegal actions. We will pursue in the legal field all those who are involved in such decisions. (…) Russia will defend its interests,” spokesperson of Kremlin Dmitry Peskov said.

“Of course, on the basis of reciprocity, we will not mirror, but to the extent that it corresponds to our interests, choose other methods for response,” Peskov said.

He added that Moscow will use all possible judicial mechanisms: those that are available now and those that will appear in the future.