DISINFO: The EU using Russian money to support Ukraine is theft
SUMMARY
The illegal actions by Brussels to “freeze” the gold and foreign exchange reserves of the Russian Federation and the assets of individuals who enjoy immunity under international law, as well as the intention to get rid of them, is an illustrative lesson for the global community and corporations.
The EU has shown that it can simply steal financial reserves and abandon its obligations to protect private property, investment and respect international legal immunities.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative claiming that "theft" is the motivation behind the freezing and confiscation of Russian assets in Europe. This claim has been neither counterbalanced nor critically challenged in the article.
The recent European Commission proposal suggests using frozen Russian funds to compensate Ukraine for the damage and destruction caused by the unprovoked and unjustified Russian invasion of its territory. This is essential as Russian forces and their proxies have deliberately attacked and committed atrocities against civilians in Ukraine. They also destroyed expensive civilian infrastructure and committed other serious violations of international and humanitarian law. In light of this, Members of the European Parliament recognised Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism and as a state that “uses means of terrorism”.
According to the European Commission proposal, the Russian assets would not be permanently confiscated, but would be returned to Russia if a peace agreement is reached, granting that it includes compensation for Ukraine for the damages it had suffered.
The European Commission is also keen on respecting international law by prosecuting Russia in an international UN-backed tribunal or court. In the same proposal, the European Commission suggests the formation of either a special independent international tribunal based on a multilateral treaty or a specialised court integrated in a national justice system with international judges. For both options, strong backing of the United Nations would be essential.
See similar stories that Europe is calling Russia a "sponsor of terrorism" to steal its assets on behalf of the US, and that EU’s fascist sanctions against Russia prove European countries are no longer democratic.