Kremlin calls EU transfer of frozen Russian asset profits to Ukraine 'theft'
Russian state media and an Israeli outlet both report the Kremlin's condemnation, but sources give different figures for the amount transferred.
What happened
The Kremlin condemned the European Union's transfer of profits from frozen Russian assets to Ukraine, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov calling it theft.123
According to the Jerusalem Post, citing the European Commission, the transfer totaled $1.6 billion, drawn from interest on cash balances of frozen Russian central bank assets.2
TASS reported the figure as 8 billion euros in Russian asset proceeds.3
Peskov said Moscow has repeatedly stated its assessment of these actions.3
What's agreed
Reported consistently by outlets in more than one region.
Where accounts differ
Each account is attributed to who makes it. We do not judge between them.
How it's framed
What each perspective puts first, based on headlines and summaries.
| Perspective | How it reads | What it puts first |
|---|---|---|
| Russian state mediaRussia & Eurasia | RT and TASS foreground the Kremlin's condemnation of the transfer, using Peskov's characterization of it as theft as the central frame, with TASS citing a larger euro figure and noting Moscow's repeated objections.13 | theft, Kremlin's assessment, repeated objections |
| Israeli privately owned outletMiddle East & Turkey | The Jerusalem Post presents the EU's transfer and its financial details (dollar figure, source of funds) in a more neutral tone before reporting the Kremlin's reaction.2 | EU transfer details, dollar amount, Kremlin's illegal theft claim |
What the coverage leaves out
- None of the outlets reviewed reported the European Commission's or Ukrainian government's response to the Kremlin's characterization of the transfer as theft.
- None of the outlets reviewed explained the discrepancy between the $1.6 billion and 8 billion euro figures cited for the transfer.
- None of the outlets reviewed detailed the broader legal or policy framework under which the EU transferred the asset proceeds.
Why it matters
The transfer relates to Russian central bank assets frozen by the EU over the war in Ukraine, and forms part of Western efforts to direct proceeds from those assets to Kyiv.2
Sources (3)
Every outlet we drew on, grouped by where it is based. Read the originals for the full reporting.
Russia & Eurasia
- 1RTRUState-controlled
Kremlin slams EU over transfer of Russian profits to Ukraine
- 3TASSRUState-controlled
Kremlin calls EU transfer of 8 bln euros in Russian asset proceeds to Ukraine theft
Middle East & Turkey
- 2The Jerusalem PostILPrivate
Kremlin condemns EU transfer of profits from frozen Russian assets to Ukraine as illegal ‘theft’