Russia to retaliate swiftly against EU asset freeze, vows foreign ministry

Russia has pledged a swift response to the European Union's freezing of its state assets, denouncing the action as an illegal act equivalent to robbery. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated on Saturday that Brussels was concealing the fact that the economic repercussions of this decision would ultimately fall on EU citizens themselves.

Legal Action and Accusations of "Robbery"

Zakharova announced that the Bank of Russia had initiated legal proceedings on Friday, filing a lawsuit in the Moscow Arbitration Court against the Euroclear depository to seek compensation for damages. She asserted that disposing of Russian sovereign assets without consent constitutes a blatant violation of international law. "No matter what pseudo-legal tricks Brussels tries to justify this with, it amounts to outright ordinary robbery," Zakharova stated, arguing the EU cannot repair the resultant damage to its own financial system and reputation.

Alleged Motive: Undermining Ukraine Peace Efforts

The Russian diplomat suggested the EU's urgency in deciding on the asset freeze is linked to undermining peace initiatives for Ukraine. Zakharova claimed that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and her allies are working to sabotage peaceful resolutions to the conflict. She argued the timing was deliberately chosen to directly counter the peace efforts spearheaded by US President Donald Trump, stating the move "directly undermine[s] the peace initiatives."

Internal EU Divisions and Economic Strain

Zakharova also highlighted a reported lack of consensus within the EU bloc regarding the indefinite freezing of assets, noting opposition from several member states. She referenced the European Commission's own justification citing potential "extraordinary measures" in times of severe economic hardship as a form of "self-exposure." This, she said, demonstrates that the financial burden of supporting Ukraine has become "unbearable" for the EU, leading it to "resort to theft."