Putin Says West’s ‘Theft’ of Russia’s Assets Will Not Go Unpunished 

Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with the leadership of the Russian foreign ministry in Moscow, Russia June 14, 2024. (Reuters)
Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with the leadership of the Russian foreign ministry in Moscow, Russia June 14, 2024. (Reuters)
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Putin Says West’s ‘Theft’ of Russia’s Assets Will Not Go Unpunished 

Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with the leadership of the Russian foreign ministry in Moscow, Russia June 14, 2024. (Reuters)
Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with the leadership of the Russian foreign ministry in Moscow, Russia June 14, 2024. (Reuters)

President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that plans by Western countries to provide Ukraine with loans using interest from Russian assets frozen abroad was theft and would not go unpunished. 

Putin, speaking at a meeting with Foreign Ministry officials, said the way the West had treated Moscow showed that any country could fall victim to a similar Western asset freeze. 

"Despite all the chicanery, theft will certainly remain theft. And it will not go unpunished", Putin said. 

"Now it is becoming obvious to all countries, companies (and) sovereign funds that their assets and reserves are far from safe in both the legal and economic sense of the word. 

"Anyone could be next in line for expropriation by the US and the West." 

Putin was speaking a day after the leaders of the Group of Seven major democracies agreed on an outline deal to provide $50 billion of loans for Ukraine using interest from Russian sovereign assets frozen after Moscow sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in 2022 in what it called a special military operation. 



Starmer and Zelenskiy Meet in London, Agree Military Production Project

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (C-L) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (C-R) meet with soldiers from the Operation Interflex at Downing Street, London, Britain, 23 June 2025. EPA/JASON ALDEN / POOL
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (C-L) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (C-R) meet with soldiers from the Operation Interflex at Downing Street, London, Britain, 23 June 2025. EPA/JASON ALDEN / POOL
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Starmer and Zelenskiy Meet in London, Agree Military Production Project

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (C-L) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (C-R) meet with soldiers from the Operation Interflex at Downing Street, London, Britain, 23 June 2025. EPA/JASON ALDEN / POOL
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (C-L) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (C-R) meet with soldiers from the Operation Interflex at Downing Street, London, Britain, 23 June 2025. EPA/JASON ALDEN / POOL

Volodymyr Zelenskiy and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a new defense co-production initiative on Monday during a short visit by the Ukrainian president to London to discuss his country's defense against Russia.

The two leaders announced the deal in the garden of Starmer's Downing Street residence, where they also met Ukrainian troops being trained in Britain.

"I'm really proud that this afternoon, we're able to announce an industrial military co-production agreement - the first of its kind so far as Ukraine and the UK are concerned - which will be a massive step forward now in the contribution that we can continue to make," Starmer said.

He did not provide further details on the agreement. Zelenskiy said it would help strengthen both nations.

Speaking alongside Starmer, the Ukrainian president thanked Britain for its support in the war against Russia, Reuters reported.

Zelenskiy had earlier met King Charles at Windsor Castle where the two shook hands for cameras on what was their third meeting this year and the latest gesture of Charles', and Britain's, support for Ukraine.

The Ukrainian leader also met the speakers of both houses of parliament.