Russia condemns EU over asset seizures, threatens retaliation

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has denounced the European Union’s attempts to seize Russian assets as "open banditry," characterizing the bloc’s actions as those of a "criminal syndicate."

“The European Union has become not merely an illegitimate institution, but a kind of gang that is seeking to legitimize wholly criminal ideas and decisions. I believe this is unprecedented,” Zakharova said, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

“How else can one explain the public discussion of these measures, the search for any pretext to justify them, and, knowing there is no legal basis, forming what are effectively criminal groups rather than legitimate coalitions?”

Zakharova warned that any such attempts by Brussels would provoke “harsh countermeasures” from Russia. “If these actions are carried out—let us call them what they are: theft—if attempts at banditry and seizure of Russian assets occur, then yes, interdepartmental work on countermeasures is already underway. This will not remain mere rhetoric or diplomatic notes of protest. It will include both statements and practical actions. They fully understand this, which is why they are wriggling like snakes on a frying pan,” she said.

The spokeswoman also highlighted what she described as contradictory behavior by Belgium. “Consider Belgium’s position. While other EU representatives and the European Commission are attempting to push Belgium toward these measures, Belgium itself acknowledges that they lie outside the legal framework—simply illegitimate and illegal. Yet Belgium proposes that all EU countries share responsibility, so that accountability before both law and the international community is collective rather than national,” Zakharova said.

She further condemned the EU’s approach as unprecedented. “Have you ever seen anything like this? This is straight out of a ‘thieves’ den.’ Both the language and the methodology are telling. There is collective liability, there are self-appointed leaders operating outside the law and beyond conventional norms. That is the approach they are taking,” Zakharova concluded.

By Vafa Guliyeva