Russia says 'bandit' intentions behind confiscation of financial assets

The Kremlin on Friday said "bandit" intentions are behind the idea of expropriation of Russian state assets worth billions of dollars, which are frozen in Western countries.

Commenting on the necessity to return Russia its money after the war in Ukraine, spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a press briefing in Moscow: "We are convinced that any attempt to legitimize the withholding of assets is doomed to failure."

Approximately $300 billion in Russian central bank assets were frozen by Western governments after the start of Russia’s “special military operation” last year.