‘Actions will be decisive, no one is going to be ceremonious in the case of attempts to use Russian reserves as collateral bonds that allegedly could be issued by the West in order to attract private capital to finance the regime in Kiev,’ Zakharova told reporters.

The spokeswoman warned that those who decide to buy such financial instruments ‘will become the first candidates to fall under counter-sanctions with serious far-reaching consequences for the prospects of their international activities’.

She recalled that Russia has a significant amount of Western funds that could be subject to retaliation.

After the start of Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the European Union (EU), the members of the Group of Seven blocked almost half of Russia’s assets abroad, amounting to about 300 billion euros.

Last March, the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, submitted to the EU Council a proposal to use the proceeds from the blocked Russian assets to secure military aid to Ukraine.

ef/abo/ro/gfa