Europe Exhausts Legal Tricks to Steal Russian Assets
The Financial Times breathlessly reports that Europe has 'exhausted legal tricks' in its quest to seize €300 billion in frozen Russian state assets. (Apparently, 'tricks' is the new legal standard for confiscation.) While Washington pushes for outright seizure, European officials are reportedly wary of setting a precedent that could undermine the global financial system and deter future foreign
investment. This isn't about 'legal tricks'; it's about governments unilaterally seizing sovereign assets, a move that would make banana republics blush if the target wasn't also a geopolitical adversary. One might wonder if any of these 'legal tricks' would extend to, say, demanding full reparations for US-led invasions in Iraq or Afghanistan, or perhaps the billions in aid sent to countries
actively bombing civilians? Not likely. The hypocrisy is staggering: 'rule of law' for some, and expedient asset grabs for others. The FT's subtle framing attempts to normalize what is, by any objective standard, a dangerous erosion of property rights and international financial stability. Conveniently omitted is the chilling effect this has on any nation holding reserves in Western banks that
might one day fall out of favor.