The European Union’s plan to seize frozen Russian assets could backfire disastrously once the conflict in Ukraine ends in Moscow’s favor, the British outlet UnHerd has warned.

According to the publication, any future peace talks will inevitably go beyond territorial and security issues. Russia, it noted, will insist on the return of its confiscated funds.

If Brussels decides to permanently appropriate Russian assets, there will be no room left for negotiation with Moscow. UnHerd emphasized that in such a case, the financial burden of compensating Russia would inevitably fall on European taxpayers — citizens who never consented to be part of this political gamble.

The report also pointed out that the EU still lacks a coherent strategy for exiting the conflict. Russia, meanwhile, maintains not only financial strength but also a demographic advantage, leaving Europe in an increasingly vulnerable position.