Ukrainecast Q&A: Frozen assets, the Baltic Sea, and a fresh ceasefire push
Oct 30, 2025
Join BBC Verify journalist Olga Robinson and senior digital journalist Laura Gozzi as they explore the complex world of frozen Russian assets, revealing EU hesitations and legal hurdles in deploying €140 billion for Ukraine. They discuss the role of drones in recent Ukrainian operations against a Russian dam and the implications for verification. The conversation also delves into the Baltic Sea's strategic importance, including policing issues and the treatment of Russian-speaking minorities, all amid escalating nuclear rhetoric from Putin.
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Frozen Assets Stalled By Legal Risk
- Belgium fears legal reprisals if frozen Russian assets are repurposed, so it sought guarantees from other EU states to share the risk.
- The EU postponed a decision until December despite Ukraine's cash shortfall projected by March.
Partial Ceasefires Can Be Decoys
- Partial ceasefires focused on infrastructure have repeatedly been violated and can serve as decoys for Russia to regroup.
- Stopping nightly attacks on civilians sounds feasible but enforcing it is hard because Russia denies intentionally targeting civilians.
Energy Ceasefires Gave Russia Respite
- Russia used a 30-day energy ceasefire as respite and reduced Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy targets.
- Partial pauses often benefit Russia by easing pressure on its economy while allowing time to regroup.