Republicans oppose Democrats’ plan to fund Ukraine with seized Russian assets
Washington PostNov 30, 2022
The Facts
On Sunday, Russia's State Duma chairman warned that the Kremlin would confiscate assets belonging to EU states if the bloc utilizes the country's "frozen funds in order to continue militarizing Kyiv."
Threatening to take retaliatory action for any EU attempt to employ Russian assets to support Ukraine's post-war reconstruction, Vyacheslav Volodin said, "far more assets belonging to unfriendly countries will be confiscated than our frozen funds in Europe."
The Spin
Anti-Russia narrative
The US, UK, and EU have already poured billions of dollars, euros, and pounds into military, humanitarian, and financial assistance for Ukraine. However, as Russia is responsible for the massive damage caused by its war of aggression against Ukraine, Moscow should ultimately foot the bill for Ukraine's long-term reconstruction — an endeavor the World Bank estimates will require at least $434B (€411B).
Pro-Russia narrative
The Russian Central Bank's assets are sovereign and, therefore, protected under international law from confiscation and expropriation. Moscow will interpret any move to use the country's funds as an unlawful and defiantly unfriendly attack. If the West fails to adhere to the principles of an open economy, the Kremlin will have the right to take retaliatory actions to protect its assets.
