Moscow issues formal protest over Japan’s plan to use Russian frozen assets for Ukraine aid

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russia officially protested on Wednesday against Japan’s intention to use frozen Russian assets to provide financial aid to Ukraine.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said it had summoned Japanese Ambassador Akira Muto to deliver a strong objection regarding Tokyo’s plans to allocate loans to Ukraine using proceeds from "illegally frozen" assets of the Russian state as part of a broader G7 financial aid package for Ukraine.

“The Japanese government's decision amounts to complicity in the crimes of the Kyiv regime,” the ministry said.

“This step will inevitably provoke severe retaliatory measures, including asymmetric responses targeting Japan’s most sensitive interests.”

The ministry warned that responsibility for any further deterioration in bilateral relations would rest solely with the Japanese government.