Minister: Russia prepares response to possible Western seizure of assets “Unfriendly states must compensate for damages”

Russia has developed proposals in response to the possible seizure of its assets by Western countries, Russian Justice Minister Konstantin Chuichenko told TASS.

“Proposals have been prepared in response to potential confiscation of Russian assets by Western countries. They have been submitted to the country’s leadership,” Chuichenko said, without providing further details.

He further noted: “The planned seizure of Russian assets by unfriendly states constitutes a gross violation of fundamental norms of international law." 

The potential seizure, he said, "entails an obligation for such states and other parties to compensate for the damage caused by the infringement of the Russian Federation’s property rights.”

Chuichenko's statement comes amid escalating Western discussions on utilising approximately €260–300 billion in Russian sovereign assets frozen since the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, primarily to fund reconstruction in Kyiv. The proposals have been a focal point of G7 and EU summits throughout 2025, with Russia signalling readiness for "harsh and painful" retaliation if implemented.

By Khagan Isayev