Estonian MEP urges Europe to give Ukraine frozen Russian assets and Taurus missiles
Estonian MEP Riho Terras says Europe should step up support for Ukraine after US President Donald Trump paused new sanctions on Russia. He wants the use of frozen Russian assets revisited and more weapons supplied to Kyiv.
Riho Terras, a member of the European Parliament from Estonia (Isamaa party), believes US President Donald Trump's decision to suspend new sanctions against Russia should prompt Europe to strengthen its backing for Ukraine. He calls for a more active discussion on using frozen Russian assets and on supplying Kyiv with additional weapons.
"Europe must return very clearly to the question of using frozen assets to support Ukraine, and use all its means, from Patriot missiles to Taurus. The moment has come for Europe to back Ukraine with all its strength. It is time to make decisions," Terras said on Saturday in an interview with the Estonian programme "Aktuaalne kaamera".
What Trump put on hold
Trump paused new restrictions that included, among other things, high tariffs on Russian goods and sanctions on buyers of Russian oil. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the decision a "sanctions blackout" and described it as encouragement of Russian aggression.
Estonian experts' assessments
Estonian experts also weighed the possible consequences of Washington's move. Political scientist Karmo Tüür thinks the suspension looks like a concession to Moscow, though he allows that Trump may be trying to show the Kremlin a readiness for talks.
Tarmo Kärsna, a representative of the fuel company Alexela, noted that potential deliveries of Russian diesel to the US are unlikely to have a significant effect on the American market. By his estimate, the volume would be less than one day's consumption, and the decision is more political in significance.
Economic analyst Heido Vitsur likewise believes that what matters more to Russia than potential revenue from fuel sales is the very fact of resumed trade contacts with the US after a period of isolation. In his view, this complicates any assessment of Washington's reliability as a partner.
