Medvedev: Russia May Respond to Any American Seizure of Its Frozen Reserves in the West

Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev indicated that his country may seize assets, including properties and funds belonging to American citizens and investors in Russia, in response to any American seizure of Moscow's frozen currency reserves in the West. He added that Russia would not be able to retaliate in the same manner to any U.S. seizure of its reserves. Medvedev confirmed, "The reason is clear; we do not have a large amount of U.S. government property, including money, rights, and other American assets; therefore, the response will be asymmetric, and it is not a fact that it will be less painful." The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a bill allowing President Joe Biden's administration to seize Russian assets held in U.S. banks and transfer them to Ukraine, an action the Kremlin has deemed illegal and will respond to.