Russia Says It Has No Plans to Seize European Assets for Now

Post by : Saif Nasser

Russia has stated that it currently has no plans to take over European assets, including companies and banks operating in the country. However, Russian officials said they are watching the European Union’s actions closely and may reconsider if the EU decides to confiscate frozen Russian state assets.

Deputy Finance Minister Alexei Moiseev told reporters on Wednesday that, as of now, Russia will not confiscate any European assets. He said, “We are not confiscating anything yet. The Europeans haven’t called for confiscation, so we won’t confiscate anything until they do. If they do end up confiscating, then we will consider it.”

Moiseev also clarified that a recent presidential decree on speeding up the sale of state-owned assets is not connected to any plans to seize European property. He emphasized that private European companies and banks operating in Russia are safe and have not been taken over by the state.

This statement comes amid rising tensions between Russia and the EU over sanctions and frozen Russian assets abroad. Several European countries have frozen Russian state funds and investments following the conflict in Ukraine, but Russia has so far refrained from retaliating.

Experts say Russia’s current stance is careful, aiming to avoid immediate escalation while keeping the option open if EU countries take further steps against Russian assets. Analysts also note that any seizure of European assets in Russia could lead to legal disputes and economic consequences, making the government cautious.

Russia continues to monitor EU actions while focusing on domestic economic policies and accelerated privatization efforts, which aim to improve efficiency and attract investment into state-owned companies.