 |
| The US has proposed that G7 countries seize $300 billion in Russian assets. (Source: Shutterstock) |
According to the newspaper, the US - with the support of the UK, Japan and Canada - has proposed to prepare to present options for seizing these assets to the leaders of the G7 countries for consideration at a meeting that may take place on February 24 next year.
Previously, the New York Times also reported that the administration of US President Joe Biden is quietly signaling that it will "confiscate" more than $300 billion in foreign exchange reserves of the Russian Central Bank deposited in Western countries.
US policymakers are also in urgent discussions with allies about using the money to support Ukraine at a time when funding for Kiev is dwindling.
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen admitted that without congressional approval, the confiscation of more than $300 billion of Russian money would be "against US law".
Some of the country's top officials also worry that seizing Moscow's deposits would make other countries around the world "hesitant to deposit their money at the US Federal Reserve (Fed) or in US dollars".
"Despite weighing the pros and cons, the US government and the G7 are actively discussing and considering whether they can use existing policies or should issue new policies to legalize the confiscation of Russian assets," the New York Times quoted a source familiar with the matter as saying.
Source
Comment (0)