US proposes to seize all Russian assets to increase pressure on Putin

As the media reports, representatives of the Biden administration have already held consultations with the team of President-elect Donald Trump. In particular,

Marco Rubio (designate for Secretary of State) and Mike Walz (future National Security Advisor) have expressed general support for this strategy. Trump, according to sources, is interested in a quick conclusion to the war, which he considers protracted.

European partners are concerned that direct seizure of Russian assets by banks could violate international law, making it difficult to reach any agreement before Trump takes office.

Friedrich Merz, a potential German chancellor and leader of the Christian Democratic Union party, has shown some willingness to consider this initiative, but is not currently in office.

It is noted that Joe Biden planned to raise the issue during a meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky in Rome. However, the event was canceled due to the emergency situation in Los Angeles. Biden's phone conversation with Zelensky last Friday touched on various issues, but it is not known for certain whether the topic of frozen assets was discussed.

US to provide Ukraine with $15 billion from frozen Russian assets

As reported by Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal, the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine and the World Bank signed an agreement that provides for the use of these funds within the framework of the PEACE in Ukraine project.

The financial package is part of a larger initiative in which the United States is providing Ukraine with $20 billion under the G7 program.

The funds will be used for social and humanitarian expenses.