How to Make Russia Pay
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A Reparations Loan uses Russia’s $300bn frozen assets against itself by lending them to Ukraine.
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Moscow only gets its money back if it pays reparations.
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The loan is effectively a downpayment on the Kremlin’s obligation to pay war damages.
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It is a legally solid alternative to confiscating Russia’s assets - and so more politically acceptable.
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It helps get Putin to the negotiating table and so end the war.
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Europeans, as the loan’s main sponsors, would get a seat at the table to broker a fair peace deal.
“Anti-terrorist operation in eastern Ukraine (War Ukraine)” by Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, CC BY-SA 2.0
This idea builds on the UN General Assembly’s call for Russia to pay for reparations. Nearly all legal scholars as well as the G7 countries agree that Moscow is obliged under international law to pay damages. But it will be years before the claims commission being set up at UNGA’s behest issues a ruling, while Ukraine needs cash now. A Reparations Loan would bridge this timing problem.
The G7 countries have stated several times that Russia’s assets will remain frozen until Moscow pays reparations. The Reparations Loan implements this commitment.
A better way to craft a reparations loan
How the EU can act fast on Russia’s frozen assets
Frozen Russian Assets: Belgium's warning on peace talks/Hugo DIxon