Russia accuses Europe of becoming “Euro-thieves” over frozen assets

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that European countries must return frozen Russian assets if they do not wish to be regarded as “Euro-thieves.”

Her remarks came in response to comments made by French President Emmanuel Macron regarding the future of Russian state funds immobilized in Europe, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

Earlier, Macron asserted that it is Europe’s prerogative to determine the fate of Russia’s frozen assets, given that they are held on European soil.

Zakharova stressed that Moscow alone has the authority to determine the fate of its sovereign assets.

“Only Russia has the right to decide what to do with its assets,” she said.

She issued a sharp warning to European governments currently holding Russian funds.

“Those who are illegally keeping the money of the Russian Federation must return it if they do not want to be known as Euro-thieves and to receive the harshest response for their crime,” Zakharova added.

By Vafa Guliyeva