The assets of Western companies could be subjected to nationalization if the European Union decides to seize Russian state and private assets on its territory.
This was stated by Anatoly Aksakov, head of the Committee on Financial Markets of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, commenting on the impact of the measures being discussed in the EU, as reported by TASS.
His words reflect Russia’s determination to prepare a tough, symmetrical response, as the issue of asset confiscation has become part of a broader political and economic confrontation.
The initiative of the State Duma to address Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin indicates that the government and the Bank of Russia must develop in advance a detailed action plan in case the European Union decides to do what it has so far discussed in a rather contradictory manner: the official seizure of Russian assets, including frozen state reserves.
Undermining financial security
This step has been discussed in various forms for several months, and experts estimate that it would not only be an economic decision but would also set a precedent that undermines the existing system of global financial security, where the inviolability of property and assets is a fundamental rule.
Anatoly Aksakov noted that he has not yet seen the text of the potential plan, but the logic behind the response is clear:
If the European Union moves from rhetoric to action, the assets of Western companies could be nationalized in Russia.
Given that confiscation by the EU would essentially constitute a breach of international obligations, Russia could respond in the same way, treating foreign property on its territory as a potential resource for compensation.
According to Aksakov, foreign assets located outside Russia will also come under close scrutiny. Moscow retains the right to take measures against the foreign assets of countries that choose to participate in the confiscation.
Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov previously stated that a response plan has already been prepared. This means that the Russian financial and economic system does not intend to wait for political decisions from the EU and is ready for a rapid reaction, which will depend on the scale and nature of any potential restrictions.
The Russian position is based on the belief that the European Union, by discussing confiscation, is deliberately destroying the fundamental mechanisms of international law and property protection, replacing them with political decisions.
The negative precedent
In this context, criticism of the EU’s plans is particularly harsh.
The measures being discussed in Brussels carry the risk of creating a dangerous precedent for all countries whose assets are held in Western financial institutions.
If the EU moves from “freezing” to outright seizure, every future international financial agreement will be brought into question, as participants will no longer be sure their funds are protected from political pressure.
European institutions are essentially proposing a mechanism that undermines their own reputation: for decades, the West portrayed itself as a guarantor of stability, but is now ready to destroy those guarantees for political reasons.
This could accelerate de-dollarization, increase interest in alternative financial centers and instruments, and reduce the attractiveness of European jurisdictions for international investors.
Moreover, the seizure of Russian assets will inevitably create long-term legal problems for the European Union.
International arbitration courts and bilateral investment protection agreements impose strict limits on such actions.
If the EU proceeds with the direct removal of assets, it will face numerous lawsuits and potential retaliatory measures, which will hit European companies far harder than the architects of the initiative expect.
In reality, the EU risks dragging its businesses into a new wave of economic escalation, where they become hostages of political decisions.
Russia emphasizes that countermeasures will be measured but tough, and that the nationalization of Western company assets will be only one part of the overall package.
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