Russian officials have warned the West sternly, cautioning of a robust retaliation if frozen Russian assets are seized. In a resolute statement, Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, affirmed that Russia would not compromise on the territories it had captured from Ukraine in exchange for the return of frozen assets. Zakharova conveyed this message through the Telegram messaging app, asserting that Russia’s motherland was unavailable for sale.
Emphasizing the potential consequences, Zakharova stressed the imperative of leaving Russian assets untouched to avoid provoking a forceful response to what Russia perceives as Western thievery. While acknowledging that some in the West already comprehend this, she expressed disappointment in those who fail to grasp the gravity of the situation.
In response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine, the United States and its allies imposed restrictions on transactions with Russia’s central bank and finance ministry, resulting in the freezing of approximately $300 billion in Russian assets held in Western financial institutions, predominantly European ones.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov echoed Zakharova’s sentiments, noting that there was still a considerable amount of Western money in Russia, which Moscow could target with countermeasures. Peskov highlighted the ample prospects for legal challenges against confiscating Russian assets, affirming that Russia would tirelessly defend its interests.
