Kyiv asks G7 to seize Russian assets to help rebuild war-torn country

By Seda Sevencan

ISTANBUL (AA) - Ukraine on Friday asked G7 countries to seize Russian assets to rebuild the war-torn country, the country’s foreign minister said.

"Today, I asked G7 countries to adopt legislation and put in place all necessary procedures needed to seize Russian sovereign assets and give them to Ukraine to use this money to rebuild our country," Dmytro Kuleba told reporters following a meeting with the G7 countries in the Baltic Sea resort of Weissenhaus.

Kuleba said he discussed with G7 countries the global food crisis, claiming that "the Russian aggression against Ukraine is the only reason for the unfolding global food crisis."

He went on to say that they also discussed ways to make sure Ukrainian agricultural products make it to global markets, especially to African and Asian countries.

"We do care for food security of African countries, of Asian countries and everyone who depends on supplies from Ukraine ... there will be no food shortage in Africa and other parts of the world because of the Russian aggression against us," Kuleba said.

In terms of Ukraine's military, he said there remained two major issues that need to be addressed: The supply of multiple rocket launcher systems and the air force.

Touching on Russian natural gas exports to Europe, he said that if Moscow continues to sell gas and oil to the EU, "their pockets will be full enough to continue fighting the war."

"Russia is making a lot of money selling oil and gas to Europe. This must stop," he added.

Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is hosting the three-day meeting.

Kuleba and Moldovan Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu are also attending the meeting on Friday as guests.

At least 3,541 civilians have been killed and 3,785 others injured since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war, which started on Feb. 24, according to UN estimates. The true toll is feared to be much higher.

More than 6 million people have fled to other countries, with some 7.7 million people internally displaced, according to the UN refugee agency.