Strength russia understands: Kira Rudik leads call for Canadian seizure of russian assets

Ukrainian MPs supported an appeal to the Canadian government with a request to confiscate the frozen assets of the russian federation: both sovereign and private. Ukrainian MP and «Golos» party leader Kira Rudik initiated a corresponding letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney. It was signed by thirty other MPs.  The document emphasizes that due to a full-scale war, Ukraine needs stable financing for reconstruction, and the confiscation of frozen assets of the russian federation will not only cover this need but also confirm the principle that aggressors must pay for the damage they have caused. Canada became the first country to confiscate the assets of russian oligarchs as early as 2022.  «This bold move sets a vital precedent and reflects Canada's commitment to bringing to justice those who facilitated and profited from russian aggression. We also support an open letter from European political and opinion leaders to Canadian political leaders calling for strong action to advance the seizure of russian assets ahead of Canada's G7 summit. This momentum will be an opportunity to deepen international cooperation and strengthen global resolve», — states the appeal of the Ukrainian MPs to the government of Canada.  According to the Kyiv School of Economics, direct damage to the infrastructure of Ukrainian cities from russian attacks, as of November 2024, is estimated at almost 170 billion dollars.  «At the same time, 300 billion dollars of sovereign assets of the russian federation have been frozen in Western countries (mainly in Europe). And so far, the only mechanism approved by the Big Seven, which is already being implemented, is the transfer of revenues from these frozen funds to Ukraine. This is a good step, but it is not enough to both restore Ukraine and punish russia. Canada has already set a precedent for confiscating such funds, and we hope that this country will show determination in the future», — said MP Kira Rudik, the initiator of the appeal.