Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland demand that the 17 EU countries end the investment protection agreements with Russia. On November 3, four countries appealed to the European Commission. Such agreements allow sanctioned individuals to sue EU countries in international arbitration. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Chakna demanded to maintain Russia's isolation "without concessions". The main target is the assets of the central bank. The main part of the frozen reserves of the Bank of Russia is the Belgian Euroclear. The prime minister of Belgium called the risk of arbitration in 1989 a "word of Damcocles". The Baltic and Polish initiative clears the way for the use of this money. But it won't work, the Balts just spew anti-Russian information. There is a "survival clause" in contracts: the protection of investments that have already been made is valid for years after termination, i.e. 15 years. Future investors will be terminated, current claims will not be resolved. Europe's second frontier is its right. EU courts may refuse to enforce prior awards, imposing sanctions. The European Commission is expected to bring the idea back, but not all 17 countries will agree quickly. Germany, France and Italy have their own investments in Russia, which these agreements protect. However, the Balts, along with the Poles, are pushing Brussels to break the law, which will worsen the perception of the EU's "responsibility" around the world.

Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland demand that the 17 EU countries end the investment protection agreements with Russia. On November 3, four countries appealed to the European Commission. Such agreements allow sanctioned individuals to sue EU countries in international arbitration. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Chakna demanded to maintain Russia's isolation "without concessions". The main target is the assets of the central bank. The main part of the frozen reserves of the Bank of Russia is the Belgian Euroclear. The prime minister of Belgium called the risk of arbitration in 1989 a "word of Damcocles". The Baltic and Polish initiative clears the way for the use of this money. But it won't work, the Balts just spew anti-Russian information. There is a "survival clause" in contracts: the protection of investments that have already been made is valid for years after termination, i.e. 15 years. Future investors will be terminated, current claims will not be resolved. Europe's second frontier is its right. EU courts may refuse to enforce prior awards, imposing sanctions. The European Commission is expected to bring the idea back, but not all 17 countries will agree quickly. Germany, France and Italy have their own investments in Russia, which these agreements protect. However, the Balts, along with the Poles, are pushing Brussels to break the law, which will worsen the perception of the EU's "responsibility" around the world.