Photo: EPA
Putin says Russia is ready to use frozen U.S. assets for postwar reconstruction and to buy a seat on the “Peace Council.”
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin said that Moscow is ready to use part of Russia’s frozen assets in the United States to finance the reconstruction of territories damaged by the fighting after a peace agreement with Ukraine is reached.
He made the statement during a meeting of Russia’s Security Council.
At the same time, Putin said he is considering sending $1 billion from those assets to the “Peace Council,” an initiative launched by U.S. President Donald Trump. According to him, Russia could already allocate this amount even without a final decision on joining the body.
According to the Associated Press, about $5 billion in frozen Russian assets are held in U.S. financial institutions. Reuters, citing sources, estimates the figure at around $7 billion. In April 2024, then U.S. President Joe Biden signed a bill allowing the seizure and use of Russian state assets in the United States for the benefit of Ukraine.
“The remaining funds from our own frozen assets in the United States could also be used to restore territories affected by hostilities after a peace treaty between Russia and Ukraine is signed. This option is also being discussed with representatives of the U.S. administration,”
Putin said.
Meanwhile, U.S. President’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner are expected to arrive in Moscow on January 22 to continue talks with Russian officials on resolving the war in Ukraine.
As a reminder, the “Peace Council” was initially conceived as a tool to administer the Gaza Strip, but its charter предусматриває facilitating peaceful solutions in various conflict regions. The Trump administration views it as a potential alternative to the United Nations and a mechanism to oversee the implementation of a possible agreement on Ukraine.
Countries seeking a permanent seat on the “Peace Council” are required to make a $1 billion contribution. Without this, membership is limited to a three-year term.
