Ukraine parliament approves seizure of Russian assets
The Ukrainian parliament approves a no-fly zone over Ukraine and approves the seizure of Russian properties.
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The Ukrainian Parliament in session in Kiev, Ukraine, February 23, 2022
The Ukrainian parliament approved Thursday legislation to seize properties of "official Russian entities and Russian individuals in Ukraine."
"Currently, the Committee is working closely with the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine and other central government bodies on legislation to resolve the issue of nationalization of all property, facilities, funds, and deposits" of Moscow, the statement said.
The Ukrainian parliament also called on UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to mediate a solution to the crisis after Kiev passed legislation on imposing a no-fly zone over Ukraine.
Kiev had made an admission that establishing a no-fly zone over Ukraine as Russia's military operation in the country continues could potentially lead to a direct war between the Russian Federation and NATO, but it is still reiterating the plea for the action, Andriy Yermak, head of Volodymyr Zelensky's office, said Wednesday.
What is prominent about the Ukrainian talk of a Russia-NATO war is the fact that they come days after US President Joe Biden said, "You have two options: start a third World War, go to war with Russia physically. Or two, make sure that a country that acts so contrary to international law ends up paying the price."
Earlier today, US defense secretary Lloyd Austin underlined that establishing a no-fly zone over Ukraine could lead the United States into a direct war with Russia.
In an exclusive interview with @LesterHoltNBC, Defense Sec. Lloyd Austin says Russia’s invasion of Ukraine underscores the “relevance” of NATO. pic.twitter.com/g7CokGm8HM
— NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) March 3, 2022
Commenting on what Biden said, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said questions on such a possibility (a third world war or a nuclear war) should instead be addressed to the US administration, adding that if US President Joe Biden was talking about the possibility of such an alternative, then "the old instincts are still alive in the minds."
