Fact Check: "Ukraine received $17.6 billion this year from immobilized Russian assets"
What We Know
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced that Ukraine has received approximately $17.6 billion from immobilized Russian assets since the beginning of 2023. This figure includes a recent transfer of about $1.7 billion from Canada, which is part of the G7-led Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) initiative. According to Shmyhal, these funds are generated from income accrued on frozen Russian state assets held in Western jurisdictions (Ukrinform, United24 Media). The total amount of frozen Russian assets in G7 jurisdictions is estimated to be around $280 billion, which are intended to remain immobilized until Russia compensates for the damages caused by its invasion of Ukraine (United24 Media).
Analysis
The claim that Ukraine received $17.6 billion from immobilized Russian assets is supported by multiple credible sources. Prime Minister Shmyhal's statements are consistent across various reports, including those from Ukrinform and United24 Media. Both sources confirm that the funds are part of the ERA initiative and are sourced from the proceeds of frozen Russian assets.
The reliability of these sources is generally high. Ukrinform is a state-run news agency in Ukraine, which often provides official statements and updates from government officials. United24 Media is an initiative launched by the Ukrainian government to gather international support for Ukraine, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict. While both sources may have a pro-Ukrainian bias, the information provided aligns with the broader context of international financial support for Ukraine and the ongoing discussions regarding frozen Russian assets.
Furthermore, the claim is corroborated by additional reports from other reputable outlets, such as Espreso and Interfax, which also detail the financial transfers and the context of the ERA initiative.
Conclusion
The claim that Ukraine received $17.6 billion this year from immobilized Russian assets is True. This conclusion is based on consistent statements from credible sources, including Ukrainian government officials and reputable news outlets. The funds are part of a broader strategy to utilize frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine in its recovery and reconstruction efforts following the ongoing conflict.
