Japan Reportedly Rules Out Using $30 Billion in Frozen Russian Assets for Ukraine Loan

The report complicates an EU push to fund Kyiv by tapping more than €185 billion in frozen Russian reserves concentrated at Euroclear in Belgium.

Overview

Politico reported, citing two EU diplomats and relayed by RIA Novosti, that Japan signaled it cannot make Russian funds frozen on its territory available for a Ukraine loan, with no formal confirmation from Tokyo in these accounts.
One of the diplomats said Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama ruled out the step because of legal obstacles.
The reported sum tied to Japan is about $30 billion held under G7 sanctions imposed after Russia’s offensive actions.
The European Commission is seeking Belgium’s approval to use €185–210 billion in frozen Russian assets as a reparations-style loan to finance Ukraine.
Russia’s rules channeling funds for investors from designated unfriendly countries into restricted “C” accounts constrain withdrawals and complicate any asset reallocation.