Polish premier calls for confiscation of Russian assets in Europe

By Handan Kazanci

ISTANBUL (AA) - Poland's prime minister urged Western countries to confiscate Russian assets, branding earlier sanctions that only froze them "ineffective," local media reported on Saturday.

"We must remain united in our determined actions against Russia. We must confiscate their assets," Mateusz Morawiecki told reporters after visiting a center for Ukrainian refugees near the capital Warsaw along with the president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola.

Suggesting that the assets could be used to fund more aid to the refugees, Morawiecki underlined that merely freezing Russian assets would not be enough, according to Polish news agency PAP.

"No, freezing alone will not be effective," Morawiecki said. "It is confiscating those assets that we need (to do) in order to ensure tangible aid for the reconstruction of Ukraine."

The Polish premier also said that more sanctions and more EU funds would be needed to help the refugees.

According to Morawiecki, the sanctions so far imposed on Russia have not produced the desired effect, pointing to the Russian ruble's exchange rate which is returning to pre-war levels, the agency reported.

For her part, Metsola said on Twitter: "In 5 weeks, 4 million Ukrainian families found temporary homes in close countries."

She thanked Poland for "mobilising to welcome more than 2.5 million people in their cities, towns & villages."

"EU will continue showing solidarity with hosting countries. We will remain united," she added, sharing photographs from the visit.

On Friday, Metsola visited the Ukrainian capital Kyiv with a "message of hope and support" as Russia's war on the country continues.

The Russian war against Ukraine, which started on Feb. 24, has been met with international outrage, with the EU, US, and Britain, among others, implementing tough financial sanctions on Moscow.

At least 1,325 civilians have been killed in Ukraine and 2,017 injured, according to UN estimates, with the true figure feared to be far higher.

More than 4.1 million Ukrainians have also fled to other countries, with millions more internally displaced, according to the UN refugee agency.