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Russia weighed options in response to potential seizure of its assets in advance — Kremlin

At the same time, Dmitry Peskov noted that Russia has a list of assets it can seize in response to the Western actions

MOSCOW, December 29. /TASS/. Russia analyzed options to respond to potential seizures of its assets by the West in advance, and Moscow will take action, proceeding from its own interests, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Commenting on the recent US proposal put forward to the G7 to seize $300 bln in Russian assets immobilized in the West, Peskov said: "Since we understand the total unpredictability of our counterparties and their inclination to violate international law and other legislation, including the national one, and their strive for self-destruction, I mean the destruction of the modern economic system <…>, well, of course, we analyzed a potential response in advance. And we will take action so that it best serves our interests."

At the same time, he noted that Russia has a list of assets it can seize in response to the Western actions. "Of course, we have it," he said.

The US "legal theory," which allegedly allows the seizure of $300 bln in Russian assets, cannot be lawful - it will destabilize the international economy, Peskov said. "Such theory can be legal, it can only be pseudo-legal, and it will deal a significant blow to the fundamental parameters of the international economy. This will harm the international economy and destroy trust - in the United States as a phony economic guarantor, and in the European Union," he noted.

The boomerang effect of Western sanctions against Russia are clear, and many are questioning whether they did the right thing, he added. "When the Europeans and Americans imposed such unprecedented sanctions against us, they didn't consider the boomerang effect at all. Now it's clear, and they're not only thinking about it, but many are wondering if they did the right thing," Peskov said.