Switzerland has frozen nearly $9 billion in Russian assets

Switzerland says it has so far frozen about 7.7 billion francs ($8.81 billion) in financial assets belonging to Russians.

The move comes under EU sanctions designed to punish Moscow for its military campaign in Ukraine, up slightly from the 7.5 billion francs the Swiss government said it had frozen last year after it imposed EU sanctions.

The increase from 2022 is due to the addition of 300 people and 100 companies and entities to the sanctions list in the past 12 months. The total also includes estimated profits from deposits, bonds, stocks, as well as real estate and luxury cars.

The Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), which oversees sanctions, declined to comment on which individuals had their assets frozen. It also said the 7.7 billion franc figure was only the latest estimate and could change.

President of the Swiss Confederation Alain Berset. Photo: AFP

Giving an exact figure is difficult because of the additions and removals of sanctioned individuals, along with legal proceedings to freeze or unfreeze assets. A more accurate figure is expected to be released by the end of the second quarter of 2024, when Swiss banks report to the government .

However, the frozen assets represent only a small fraction of the total assets held by Russians in Switzerland, which is estimated at 150 billion francs ($172.4 billion), according to estimates by the Swiss Bankers Association. In addition to the freeze, the country has also blocked the movement of 7.4 billion francs in foreign currency assets of the Russian central bank.

During a visit to Ukraine last month, Swiss President Alain Berset pledged more support for the country and discussed using profits from frozen Russian assets to help rebuild the country.

The European Commission is studying a proposal to pool some of the profits from frozen Russian state assets to help Ukraine rebuild after the war. Switzerland is taking part in the discussions but has not yet decided whether to support them. Meanwhile, it has rejected proposals to send weapons to Ukraine, citing its neutrality laws.

Phien An ( according to Reuters )

Source link: https://vnexpress.net/thuy-si-da-phong-toa-gan-9-ty-usd-tai-san-nga-4684039.html