High-ranking Western officials are considering lifting sanctions against Russian oligarchsprovided that the latter will use their money to rebuild Ukraine, reports the Associated Press.
The issue was raised by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Canada at a meeting of G-7 Finance Ministers in Germany last week.
Kristia Freeland raised the issue after the Russian oligarchs first spoke to her about it, an official told the Associated Press. The Canadian minister has known Russian oligarchs since he was a journalist in Moscow.
According to the official, the Ukrainian side is aware of the talks. He noted that such an agreement would be in the West’s interest as it would mean the removal of Russian oligarchs from Vladimir Putin, while at the same time giving money to Ukraine.
“We would not speak if there was no agreement on the part of the Ukrainians,” the official said. “We need to know that it works for them too.”
Officials spoke on condition of anonymity, as they were not authorized to comment on the G-7 talks.
The proposal was made in the context of providing additional money to Ukraine and the way in which “frozen” funds and assets of the oligarchs could be a source of capital.
At the moment, it is just an idea, the official said, but the interest of the West is there.
The proposal could help remove a legal barrier for authorities in countries such as Germany, where frozen assets are difficult to seize.
By voluntarily abandoning a portion of their wealth abroad, the oligarchs would save Western governments from the potential embarrassment of being rejected by the courts.
The former Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovichwho has been sanctioned for his ties to Putin, said the net proceeds from the sale of Chelsea would go to the victims of the war in Ukraine.
The agreement for the sale of the football club has been delayed, as the British government is taking care that Abramovich does not benefit from the forced sale.
Follow Skai.gr on Google News
and be the first to know all the news
