Your current location:HOME >style >France says no to U.S. on the seizure of Russian assets 正文
TIME:2024-05-21 15:05:29 Source: Internet compilationEdit:style
French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire has contested the United States' stance on monetizing frozen
French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire has contested the United States' stance on monetizing frozen Russian assets, revealing divisions among G7 countries over the issue.
"I want to be very clear: We currently have no legal basis for the seizure of Russian assets," Le Maire said on the sidelines of a gathering of G20 finance ministers in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Wednesday.
His comments highlight geopolitical tensions at the event and discord among close allies on how to handle Russian assets blocked by Western powers since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, Reuters commented.
"We need to keep working ...The G7 must act in compliance with the rule of law," Le Maire was quoted by Agence France-Presse as saying.
"This legal basis must be accepted not only by European countries, not only by G7 countries, but by all member states of the world community, and I mean by all the member states of the G20. We should not add any kind of division among the G20 countries."
The G7 finance ministers, who met ahead of G20 discussions, deliberated on whether the frozen assets could be utilized to aid in the reconstruction of Ukraine.
On Tuesday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen expressed her belief that there existed a robust legal foundation in international law to extract value from the Russian assets, which amount to about $300 billion, either through collateral or seizure.
'Insufficient grounding'
Le Maire's comments assert that France firmly believes there is insufficient grounding in international law to proceed with the seizure of Russian assets, and emphasize the need for further deliberation.
Any actions must be firmly rooted in international law and must garner the backing of all members of the G20 major economies, including Russia, he said.
Russia's Foreign Ministry previously denounced the freezing of Russian assets in Europe as theft, saying the actions targeted not only private individuals' funds, but also Russian state assets. Russia has warned of retaliation should the West move forward with the seizure of the assets.
Experts cited by Reuters said the process of unlocking value from the assets could extend over a year or more. For this to happen, most, if not all, countries possessing Russian assets would need to enact domestic legislation to enable such actions.
G7 officials have been grappling more than a year to determine the fate of Russian sovereign assets frozen following the conflict in Ukraine. G7 leaders have set a deadline for proposing potential resolutions by June.
The European Commission has suggested using interest accrued on the assets, leveraging the funds as collateral for loans for Ukraine, or providing direct financial assistance to Ukraine.
The unstoppable duo of Emma Stone and Yorgos Lanthimos2024-05-21 14:44
Timothee Chalamet carries a guitar case as he films scenes with co2024-05-21 14:09
The United States and China are expected to win the most medals at the Paris Olympics2024-05-21 14:01
China's low2024-05-21 13:51
Kristin Cavallari, 37, ignores critics of her age2024-05-21 13:42
The wild TRUTH behind 'Mormon face': Former member of ultra2024-05-21 13:34
Apple CEO says company is 'looking at' manufacturing in Indonesia2024-05-21 13:28
The chemicals in your garage that may raise risk of incurable muscle2024-05-21 13:22
Travis Kelce downs whiskey shot on slice of bread at Kelce Jam without Taylor Swift2024-05-21 12:45
Legislation would give tax credits to companies that help workers afford childcare2024-05-21 12:19
Devout Christian doctor, 68, who punched dementia2024-05-21 14:48
Taylor Swift fans are scammed out of more than £1 million by ticket fraudsters2024-05-21 14:43
The wild TRUTH behind 'Mormon face': Former member of ultra2024-05-21 14:34
Wisconsin Supreme Court to hear arguments in Democratic governor's suit against GOP2024-05-21 14:26
Trump accepts a VP debate but wants it on Fox News. Harris has already said yes to CBS2024-05-21 14:13
Gilbert dominant on mound and gets help from Rodríguez in the field as Mariners top Reds 32024-05-21 14:13
US court rejects a request by tribes to block $10B energy transmission project in Arizona2024-05-21 13:55
Reynaldo López pitches 6 scoreless innings, Braves beat Astros 62024-05-21 13:36
Children are evacuated from school 'during an exam' after threat made via email2024-05-21 13:01
MotoGP racing for new momentum in America, with hopes of riding an F12024-05-21 12:19