Putin warns Europe against seizing Russian assets, highlights economic strength VIDEO

During a live Q&A session combined with his year-end press conference, Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed both international and domestic economic issues, issuing strong warnings to Europe while outlining Russia’s economic performance.

On the international front, Putin criticized attempts to seize Russian assets in Europe, calling them not merely theft, but outright robbery, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

He warned that confiscating Russian assets would undermine confidence in the eurozone, stating, “Once you start, it’s only the beginning.”

“Russia, in the event of the seizure of its assets, will defend itself in courts under jurisdictions independent of political decisions,” he added. The president also asserted that Europe would eventually have to return whatever it takes from Russian assets, emphasizing that such measures would not go unchallenged.

Turning to domestic economic matters, Putin provided an overview of Russia’s financial health. He reported that the country’s GDP grew by 1% in 2025, with cumulative economic growth of 9.7% over the past three years—well above European averages. Inflation is being effectively managed, and is expected to reach 5.7–5.8% by year’s end.

Highlighting labor market strengths, Putin noted that unemployment, already at record-low levels, has fallen further to 2.2%, while real wages increased by 4.5% over the year. He also underscored the growth of Russia’s gold and foreign currency reserves, which have reached $741.5 billion, praising the government for maintaining a balanced budget.

Looking ahead, Putin said the federal budget deficit is set to decline to 1.5%, a strong indicator given Russia’s low public debt. He reassured citizens that all social obligations would continue to be fully met, signaling a commitment to economic stability even amid geopolitical tensions.

By Vafa Guliyeva