US 'Seizes' Russian Assets, Europe Fails to Read Between Lines
The Financial Times reports Trump's proposal to seize Russian assets could complicate the EU's Ukraine loan. But let's be clear: 'seize' often becomes 'manage' or 'redirect' into American coffers. For example, after 9/11, the US ‘froze’ Afghan assets, then the Biden administration unilaterally decided to effectively liquidate $7 billion of Afghanistan's central bank funds, with half going to a
9/11 victims' fund, bypassing the actual victims of sanctions: starving Afghans. One might ask, is this about justice, or just a sophisticated form of resource extraction presented as altruism? This isn't about 'getting Russia to pay.' This is about the U.S. cementing its financial dominance, turning seized assets into leverage for its preferred geopolitical outcomes, often leaving allies (and the
original intent) high and dry. The EU, still reeling from the energy crisis deepened by US sanctions on Russia, seems perpetually surprised by Washington's 'America First' approach to everything, including seemingly cooperative alliances. How many times does an ally have to be left holding the bag before they question the game?