US official: Too early to discuss Russian asset use for Ukraine aid

WASHINGTON, Dec 22 (PRIME) -- Discussing the use of Russia's frozen assets to support Ukraine is premature, White House's Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby said at a press conference late on Thursday.  

"I would say too soon to say. I won’t talk to that specific proposal,” the official said.

“But I will say, just broadly speaking, that — that we have talked to many of our allies and partners about what Russia’s role ought to be post-conflict, in terms of the restructuring,  the recovery inside Ukraine long term. But we aren’t at a point right now where — you know, where we can address the specific muscle movements and what that’s going to look like."

The New York Times said earlier that the U.S. administration had started urgent negotiations with the allies on the use of the frozen Russian assets in military support of Ukraine. It was unclear yet whether Ukraine could spend the yield on Russian assets on military needs or only on recovery. 

The U.S. authorities insist that the U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan present a strategy on the assets by February 24.

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