MEP urges EU to ‘think creatively’ and use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine

Updated: 29/09/2026 - 9:15 GMT+2 Tobias Cremer, an S&D MEP, said economic support for Ukraine is necessary because “the cost of the country failing would be much higher for us than the cost of supporting Ukraine”. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Cremer called on the EU to explore how frozen Russian assets could be used as “leverage for peace”, arguing that this could show Russian President Vladimir Putin that if he continues the war in Ukraine, Russia should “start paying for it”. The MEP also said Russia’s attacks in Europe are “no longer hybrid”, arguing that cities such as Leipzig in Germany have faced what he described as “proper attacks”.