U.S. Attorney General authorizes first transfer of forfeited Russian assets for use in Ukraine

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland has authorized the first transfer of forfeited Russian assets for use in Ukraine.

The relevant statement was made by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland on Wednesday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports, referring to Reuters.

In particular, last year the U.S. Department of Justice charged Russian oligarch Konstantin Malofeyev with violating sanctions imposed on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine, saying he provided financing for Russians promoting separatism in Crimea.

At that time, Garland also announced “the seizure of millions of dollars from an account at a U.S. financial institution traceable to Malofeyev’s sanctions violations.”

“While this represents the United States’ first transfer of forfeited Russian funds for the rebuilding of Ukraine, it will not be the last,” Garland emphasized.

A reminder that, on February 2, 2023, a federal district judge in New York ruled that prosecutors might seize $5.4 million belonging to Russian oligarch Konstantin Malofeyev, paving the way for the funds to be used for Ukraine’s reconstruction.

Photo: Kevin Dietsch