Italy says any new EU measures on Russian assets must be lawful

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni walks as she is welcomed by Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (not pictured) on the day of the informal meeting of European Union leaders in Copenhagen, Denmark, October 1, 2025. REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw

ROME (Reuters) -Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Wednesday that the European Union is discussing possible initiatives regarding the use of frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine, but any steps it takes must respect international law.

The European Commission has proposed to use the cash balances from frozen Russian central bank securities held in Europe to support Ukraine in 2026 and 2027, amid declining U.S. military financing for Kyiv and fiscal struggles across the EU.