Brussels – Slovenia is prepared to offer guarantees for a new 140 billion euro loan from the European Union to Ukraine, according to Slovenian Finance Minister Klemen Boštjančič during the EU finance ministers’ meeting in Brussels. He highlighted that these would be conditional obligations for member states. Ongoing negotiations among member states regarding the loan are still in progress.
“Currently, Slovenia – like most European nations – is willing to provide national guarantees,” Boštjančič stated concerning the new loan for Ukraine, which is to be funded using frozen Russian assets under sanctions.
The loan terms proposed by the European Commission at the end of September require member states to back the loan. Ukraine would only start repayment once Russia compensates for the war damages.
Boštjančič noted that national guarantees for member states would imply conditional obligations. “This is why it is crucial that this process adheres to international legal standards, to ensure it does not ultimately impact our budget. This cannot be regarded as asset seizure; instead, it will be addressed within the negotiations of a peace agreement,” he stressed.
The minister also emphasized the importance of legally appropriate loan arrangements to prevent Russia from seizing the assets of European companies operating in the country. Slovenia is particularly cautious about this, especially regarding the pharmaceutical company Krka, which has a significant presence in the Russian market, he added. (November 13)
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