Ruto states Kenya’s stand on the seizure of Russian assets
Ruto states Kenya’s stand on the seizure of Russian assets
Ruto states Kenya’s stand on the seizure of Russian assets
President William Ruto criticized the US and the EU on Saturday for seizing Russian assets as a result of the current crisis in Ukraine.
Speaking on Saturday at the Ukraine Peace Summit in Burgenstock, Switzerland, Ruto said that the majority of EU members were acting contrary to the principles of the UN.
Ruto used Mahatma Gandhi of India to emphasize the significance of abstaining from retaliation and why the US and EU shouldn’t seize Russia’s investments within their borders.
“The unilateral appropriation of Russian assets is unlawful, unacceptable, and a derogation from the UN Charter, especially for those of us who believe in freedom, justice, and democracy, just as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was unlawful and unacceptable.” Ruto spoke of Kenya’s position on the matter.
According to the US Treasury, the country has frozen assets held by Russian citizens with an estimated worth of USD58 billion which included homes, yachts and private aircraft.
On the other hand, the value of Russian assets frozen in the EU is estimated to be worth 211 billion euros.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had requested the Summit where he sought international support to bring peace and stability to his country.
President William Ruto had been given the honour of joining world leaders in the Summit which adopted consultations in line with the UN charter.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who was in attendance, assured the world that the West was not at war with Russia.
Ruto’s main proposal to the Peace Summit, according to Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei, was that Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine was a blatant violation of the UN charter.
Sing’oei said, echoing Ruto, that the crisis in Ukraine had a significant impact on Africa.
He concurred with the Head of State, saying, “But the seizure of Russian assets is equally a derogation from the principle of legality; and that conflicts in Africa have equally occasioned incalculable losses to life and property.”
Moving forward, Kenya’s foreign policy on the issue calls for sincere talks between the two sides and a shift in attitudes to allow for dialogue.
