Legal mechanisms must be found to take over and use frozen Russian assets for the reconstruction of Ukraine - Levits

  • 2023-02-10
  • LETA/TBT Staff

RIGA - Legal mechanisms must be found to take over and use frozen Russian assets for the restoration of the Ukrainian state, emphasized President Egils Levits, who met with European Union (EU) Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders at Riga Castle today.

As Justine Deicmane, head of the Media Center of the Presidential Chancery, informed LETA, Levits discussed with Reynders the legal framework for the creation of a special international tribunal for the investigation and trial of the crime of Russian aggression.

The President praised the EU's work so far in creating legal prerequisites for holding Russia accountable. Levits welcomed the resolution adopted by the European Parliament on January 19, which calls for the creation of an international tribunal to hold Russia accountable for aggression in Ukraine in accordance with international law, and the establishment of the International Center for the Investigation of the Crime of Aggression, which was supported by the European Council on February 9 and 10.

Levits emphasized that the international community must react firmly, unitedly and decisively in order to achieve state and individual responsibility for the crimes committed by Russia against Ukraine. In his opinion, any attempts to undermine the international order and weaken the observance of international law must be prevented.

Reynders thanked Latvia for its active voice so far in explaining the idea of establishing a tribunal not only at the European, but also at the global level. The President assured that Latvia will continue to call for support for the creation of tribunals in various international formats, thus sending a clear signal to Russia - the international community will be ready to ensure international justice and will not allow impunity.

The President also noted that it is very important to maintain the policy of sanctions against Russia, and eliminating possibilities to circumvent sanctions both at the national and EU level. He pointed out that the aggressor must compensate for the damages caused to Ukraine, which are only increasing every day.

At the end of the conversation, the EU Justice Commissioner praised the functioning of the rule of law in Latvia.