Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Lebanese Ministry of Health: Final toll from airstrike on car in Zebdine, Nabatieh District: Two martyrs, four injured
Egyptian media: Indirect talks between Hamas and Israelis begin in Sharm el-Sheikh.
AFP: France's new PM Sebastein Lecornu resigns just hours after unveiling cabinet.
Trump: Technical teams will meet again on Monday in Egypt to discuss and clarify the final details, and the first phase is scheduled to be completed this week
US President Donald Trump: Talks with Hamas have been very successful and are moving at a rapid pace
Local sources in Aleppo: Violent clashes erupt between the SDF and factions affiliated with the transitional authority on the Deir Hafer and Tishrin Dam fronts in the eastern Aleppo countryside
Israeli media: Interceptor missiles fired in an attempt to shoot down the drone
IOF Spokesperson: Sirens sounded amid suspected "enemy aircraft" infiltrating the Eilat area
Israeli media: "Israel" won the battle but lost the war strategically and politically
Israeli media: Ben Gurion Airport's airspace closed to air traffic following missile launch from Yemen

UK weighs Russian asset seizure as Moscow warns of retaliation

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 19 Mar 2025 23:34
2 Min Read

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that if the West moves forward with confiscating Russian state assets, Moscow will retaliate.

Listen
  • x
  • Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds a pint of Guiness during a St Patrick's Day reception at 10 Downing Street in London, Wednesday, March 19, 2025.(AP)
    Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a St Patrick's Day reception at 10 Downing Street in London, Wednesday, March 19, 2025.(AP)

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged on Wednesday that the seizure of frozen Russian assets remains legally and politically complex, but confirmed that London is working with allies to explore possible measures.

"It is complicated, but we are working with others to see what is possible. But it is not straightforward," Starmer told UK parliament.

His statement comes as the UK has already transferred £752 million ($974 million) to Ukraine, part of a £2.26 billion loan package that will be repaid using proceeds from frozen Russian assets.

Following the start of the war in Ukraine, the EU and G7 nations froze nearly 300 billion euros of Russian foreign exchange reserves. The majority—over 200 billion euros—is held in European institutions, primarily within Belgium's Euroclear, a leading financial clearing system.

Despite ongoing discussions among Western governments about the possibility of confiscating these assets outright, legal and financial risks have delayed direct action. The G7 recently reaffirmed its commitment to imposing financial costs on Russia, with some officials advocating for using the frozen funds to bolster Ukraine's defense and economic recovery.

Related News

Putin, Netanyahu discuss Gaza war, Iran nuclear file

Russia, Venezuela decry US strike on vessel in the Caribbean

However, concerns over potential legal retaliation from Moscow and damage to global financial stability have made full asset seizures a contentious issue.

Moscow condemns asset freeze, threatens retaliation

Russia has forcefully rejected the West's asset freeze, with the Russian Foreign Ministry labeling it as "theft" targeting both individual and state funds.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that if the West moves forward with confiscating Russian state assets, Moscow will retaliate. This comes amid rising tensions between Russia and the UK, with recent reports indicating that Moscow now sees Britain as its "public enemy number 1", accusing London of leading the West's anti-Russian stance.

Additionally, Russian officials have suggested that Moscow could withhold Western-held funds inside its own financial system in response.

Vyacheslav Volodin, a key ally of President Vladimir Putin, called for Russia to reclaim interest accrued on frozen assets, referencing $26 billion in frozen Russian funds transferred to Ukraine by London.

Read more: Ceasefire talks for Ukraine scheduled in Jeddah on Sunday: US envoy

  • Russia
  • Keir Starmer
  • Sanctions on Russia
  • United Kingdom
  • Russian frozen assets
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

Iraq at a crossroads: A new war front?

Iraq at a crossroads: A new war front?

  • West Asia
  • 30 Sep 2025
A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025 (AP)

Hamas responds to Trump plan, backs Gaza withdrawal, exchange

  • Politics
  • 3 Oct 2025
Tucker Carlson speaks at a memorial for Charlie Kirk, Sunday, September 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (AP)

Tucker Carlson: Israeli officers gave orders on Iran inside Pentagon

  • Politics
  • 2 Oct 2025
ap

'Israel' pays influencers $7K per post to whitewash Gaza genocide

  • Politics
  • 1 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Hezbollah's representative in Iran, Sayyed Abdullah Safieddine, during an interview with Al Mayadeen which aired on October 6, 2025 (Al Mayadeen)
Politics

Tehran never interferes in Hezbollah decisions: Representative in Iran

Smoke billows over the Gaza Strip following an Israeli bombardment, as seen from southern Palestine, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Indirect talks for a ceasefire in Gaza begin in Sharm El-Sheikh: Egypt

Fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) prepare to attend a military parad in Qamishli, northeastern Syria, Tuesday, August 12, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Security forces seal Aleppo’s Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh districts

Amsterdam Captain Mohammed Ali Mohiuddin, who took part in the Global Sumud mission to Gaza, talks to Al Mayadeen on October 6, 2025 (Screengrab)
Politics

GSF captain says despite abuse, 'Israel weaker than spider's web'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS