Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Wednesday commended U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio for his “healthy thoughts” on addressing Russia’s frozen assets. Lavrov referred to Rubio’s recent comments suggesting that discussions about releasing Russian funds should be part of broader postwar negotiations.
Speaking at a press conference in Doha, Lavrov acknowledged that no European governments have seriously considered releasing the frozen assets but emphasized that the issue remains unavoidable. The U.S. and its allies froze between $300 billion and $350 billion in Russian assets after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, most of which is controlled by European nations.
Rubio, in an interview with Breitbart News, stated that any negotiations involving Russia’s economic reintegration would need to address the impact on American businesses harmed by Russian countermeasures. He stressed that discussions on this issue would only take place after an enduring ceasefire or a permanent end to the war.
The debate over Russian assets has intensified following President Trump’s recent diplomatic outreach to Moscow, which bypassed European leaders. Some European officials have proposed seizing Russian funds outright to replace U.S. military aid to Ukraine or fund reconstruction efforts. However, major EU economies like Germany and France remain hesitant, fearing a destabilization of international financial markets.
Moscow has consistently condemned Western moves to freeze or seize its assets. In December, Russia called a U.S. transfer of $20 billion in frozen funds to Ukraine an act of “robbery” and warned of retaliatory measures against Western assets in Russia. Lavrov’s latest remarks suggest that Moscow remains open to discussions but will demand concessions, particularly for territories under Russian control.
