The Kremlin condemns the transfer of Russian funds to Ukraine and threatens reprisals

The Kremlin on Thursday condemned the transfer to Ukraine of funds confiscated from Russia by the United States, a country to which it threatened reprisals for what it considers an attack on private property. “To begin with, it is a prejudice for those who, to speak in money, seized or stole this money. It is a direct prejudice. As far as the United States is concerned, such decisions, of course, will hit them like a boomerang,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a press conference call.

Peskov considers the confiscation “illegal” and “illegitimate” and is convinced that under normal circumstances such a case could be won in court, although he has now ruled out the option of defending theoretically “sacred” Russian property rights. ” in the USA. this country. “It undermines confidence, the confidence of investors, the confidence of owners of assets linked in one way or another to the United States. And all of this, no doubt, cannot be without consequences,” a- he declared.

The presidential spokesman defended the principle of “reciprocity” and criticized asymmetrical and “unusual” responses. US Attorney General Merrick Garland announced on Wednesday the first transfer of assets from Russian oligarchs seized for the reconstruction of Ukraine, the scene of a war since February 2022. Specifically, Washington accuses Russian businessman Konstantin Malofeyev of violating the sanctions imposed on Moscow after its military intervention. intervention in Ukraine on the grounds that it was financing the separatist movement in Crimea. (Eph)