Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned European countries against attempting to seize frozen Russian sovereign assets, calling such moves “daylight robbery” that could undermine trust in the global financial system, while reiterating that Moscow remains open to peace talks on Ukraine under its own terms.
Speaking during an end-of-year live Q&A session and press conference on Friday, Putin addressed a wide range of issues, including the war in Ukraine, Russia’s economy, and Western efforts to use frozen Russian funds to support Kyiv.
Putin on Frozen Russian Assets
Responding to questions about European proposals to tap frozen Russian central bank assets, Putin said any such action would have serious consequences.
“It would be robbery,” Putin said. “This isn’t just a blow to their image — it undermines trust in the eurozone and the entire modern financial system.”
He warned that if such precedents were set, other countries — particularly oil-producing states that hold reserves in euros — could rethink where they store their assets.
“No matter what they steal and however they do it, they will have to give it back eventually,” Putin said, adding that Russia would defend its interests through legal action, seeking jurisdictions independent of political pressure.
Western countries froze around $300 billion in Russian central bank assets following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, with most funds held at Euroclear in Belgium. While the EU has debated using the assets to support Ukraine, leaders recently failed to agree on a reparations-based loan, opting instead for joint borrowing.
Ukraine Peace Talks
On prospects for peace negotiations, Putin said Russia does not yet see clear readiness from Kyiv, but acknowledged emerging signals.
“So far, we don’t really see such readiness from Ukraine,” he said. “But we do see certain signals that they may be prepared for some kind of dialogue.”
Putin reiterated that Moscow is willing to end the conflict peacefully, but only by addressing what it calls the “root causes” of the crisis, echoing positions previously outlined by Russian officials.
Situation on the Battlefield
Putin claimed that Russia currently holds the strategic initiative on the battlefield following what he described as Ukrainian setbacks.
“After our troops pushed the enemy out of the Kursk region, the initiative passed entirely into the hands of the Russian armed forces,” he said. “Our troops are advancing along the entire line of contact.”
Ukraine has not commented on Putin’s battlefield assessment.
Economy and Inflation
Addressing domestic economic conditions, Putin said Russia’s GDP growth stands at around 1%, describing the slowdown as a deliberate effort to curb inflation.
“The goal was to reduce inflation to at least 6%,” he said, adding that it is now expected to fall below that level by year-end, to around 5.7–5.8%.
How Putin Gathers Information
In a lighter exchange, Putin responded to a question from a young boy about how he stays informed. The Russian leader said he sometimes travels around Moscow without an official motorcade, observing daily life firsthand.
He added that he regularly speaks directly with citizens and relies on polling data to assess public sentiment.
Broader Implications
Putin’s remarks come as EU leaders struggle to agree on long-term financing for Ukraine, while tensions remain high over sanctions, frozen assets, and the future of peace talks.
Analysts say the Kremlin’s messaging reflects an effort to project confidence on the battlefield, warn Europe against financial escalation, and leave the door open — at least rhetorically — for negotiations on Russia’s terms.
Discover more from Defence Talks | Defense News Hub, Military Updates, Security Insights
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
