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Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned that Russia would take retaliatory measures and that those who illegally seized Russian assets would face legal consequences.
Russia does not accept illegal seizure of Russian assets and that is extremely dangerous for the world financial system, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on December 22.
Peskov said that discussions on the topic of illegal confiscation of Russian assets are regularly raised both in Europe and in the United States.
According to him, this topic is unacceptable, and if implemented, it will be a very serious "blow" to the international financial system.
According to Mr. Peskov, the European Union (EU) and the US both understand that illegal confiscation of Russian assets will have legal consequences for those who initiate and carry out them. Russia will also take similar countermeasures.
France, Germany and Italy remain “extremely cautious” about the idea of seizing Russian assets to use for Ukraine’s reconstruction, and some EU officials “worry about possible retaliation” from Moscow if Russian assets are seized.
According to the European Commission, about 260 billion euros ($285 billion) of Russian central bank assets were frozen in G7 countries, the EU and Australia last year.
About 210 billion euros ($230 billion) of Russia's reserves are held in the EU, including 191 billion euros in Belgium and 19 billion euros in France. Switzerland holds about 7.8 billion euros, followed by the United States with 5 billion euros.
Last week, US officials told G7 members that there was a “roadmap” for seizing Russian assets “consistent with international law” to fund Ukraine.
