Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on November 20, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 20, 2026
The Russian Duma warns the EU against seizing Russian assets, proposing legal action against Belgium and Euroclear, where these assets are held.
MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russia's parliament said on Thursday that any seizure of Russian assets by the European Union must be met by legal action against Belgium and Euroclear, the Belgium-based depository where the immobilised assets are held.
In a resolution, it also proposed using assets of non-residents from "unfriendly countries" to compensate for losses imposed on Russia.
The European Commission has proposed a plan allowing EU governments to use up to 185 billion euros ($217 billion) - most of the 210 billion euros worth of Russian sovereign assets currently frozen in Europe - to provide loans to Ukraine, although without confiscating them.
The resolution by the Duma, the lower house of parliament, said the proposed use of Russian assets by EU member states "is effectively an illegal seizure of property, and therefore, if implemented, it can be regarded as outright theft."
It added: "Any attacks on Russian assets must be met with an appropriate legal response, beginning with claims for damages —with a demand for the seizure of assets as a security measure —against Euroclear and Belgium, where the bulk of the illegally frozen sovereign funds are held, in any jurisdiction.
"Assets of non-residents from unfriendly states may also be used as a source of compensation."
(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Gleb Stolyarov; Editing by Mark Trevelyan/Guy Faulconbridge)
Asset seizure refers to the legal process where authorities take possession of an individual's or entity's assets, often due to legal violations or debts. This can include bank accounts, properties, and other valuables.
The European Commission is the executive branch of the European Union responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, and managing the EU's day-to-day operations. It plays a key role in shaping EU policies.
Non-resident assets are financial assets owned by individuals or entities that are not based in the country where the assets are held. These can include investments, properties, and bank accounts located abroad.
Compensation in finance refers to the payment or reimbursement provided to individuals or entities for losses incurred, often due to legal actions or financial agreements. This can include monetary payments or asset transfers.
Euroclear is a financial services company that provides settlement and related services for securities transactions. It acts as a central depository for securities and facilitates the transfer of ownership.
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