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
Israeli media outlet: Security incident reported in the Gaza Strip
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson: No new date or venue has been set for the meeting between Araghchi and Witkoff, and no negotiations will take place until the outcome is guaranteed
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police
Palestinian platforms: The IOF detonated a booby-trapped robot east of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: We have strong indications that there are martyrs, injuries, and trapped people in the Salah al-Din area

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

Russia in talks over military bases in Syria with new government

Trump approves Patriot missiles to Ukraine, bills EU for costs

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

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

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