UWC VP thanks French parliament for resolution on seizure of Russian assets

France’s legislature passed a resolution on March 13 that calls for increased support for Ukraine and the confiscation of frozen Russian assets, as reported by Volodymyr Kogutyak, UWC Vice President for Western Europe and Association of Ukrainians in France (AUF) Vice President.

“On behalf of the UWC and AUF, I want to express our deep gratitude to MP [member of parliament] Laurent Mazaury. Thanks to his efforts, an amendment was passed yesterday on using frozen Russian assets,” Kogutyak said, highlighting his longstanding cooperation with Mazaury.

Although the resolution isn’t legally binding, the UWC VP also thanked all French lawmakers, noting that the resolution will help mobilize approximately 235 billion euros in support of Ukraine.

The resolution was backed by 288 parliamentarianss, with 54 voting against it, including members of the far-left Unsubmissive France party and communists. The far-right National Rally abstained from voting, according to Paris-based Le Figaro.

“While the resolution is mostly symbolic, the deputies hope it will influence the government, which is currently opposed to seizing Russian assets,” writes European Pravda.

The resolution calls on the EU, NATO, and allies to continue and expand their support for Ukraine. French lawmakers also proposed an amendment urging Brussels to establish an independent European defense entity.

Additionally, the document calls for the EU to use frozen Russian assets to fund military assistance for Ukraine. It also includes points on halting Russian gas imports and the potential deployment of French troops in Ukraine following a peace agreement.

The final text encourages the French government and European partners to consider deploying European peacekeeping forces to Ukraine.