Russian Ambassador to Switzerland called the confiscation of Russian assets theft

Earlier, Swiss President Ignazio Cassis said that the confiscation of Russian assets in favor of Ukraine would lead to the creation of a dangerous precedent.

He added that the right to property is one of the fundamental human rights.

“We paid attention and positively assessed the statement of President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ignazio Cassis that the right to property is a fundamental right,” Garmonin said on the air of the Russia 24 TV channel.

His words are reported by RIA Novosti.

Nevertheless, the ambassador recalled that Switzerland had frozen a significant number of assets of persons who fell under anti-Russian sanctions, but after a thorough check, it unfrozen some of the previously confiscated funds. 

Garmonin stressed that Russia opposes any confiscation of Russian assets.

“In fact, it will be robbery, theft,” he concluded.

Earlier, the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced the preparation of a legal framework for the transfer of frozen assets to Russia for the "needs of restoring Ukraine."

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that any attempt by Western countries to use Russia's frozen reserves would be considered outright theft of these funds.