President William Ruto of Kenya has publicly criticized the European Union (EU) and the United States for their seizure of Russian assets amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Speaking at the Ukraine Peace Summit on Saturday, Ruto argued that the actions taken by most EU member states and the US violate the principles of the United Nations.
In his address, Ruto invoked the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, emphasizing the importance of refraining from acts of revenge. He stated that while Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is unequivocally unlawful and unacceptable, the retaliatory measures of confiscating Russian investments are equally unjust. “Just as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was unlawful and unacceptable, the unilateral appropriation of Russian assets is equally unlawful, unacceptable, and a derogation from the UN Charter, especially for those of us who believe in freedom, justice, democracy,” Ruto articulated, highlighting Kenya’s stance on the issue.
The United States Treasury has reported that it has frozen assets owned by Russian citizens worth approximately USD 58 billion, including homes, yachts, and private aircraft. Similarly, the EU has seized Russian assets valued at around 211 billion euros. These measures have been part of the broader sanctions regime imposed by Western nations in response to Russia’s military actions in Ukraine.
The Ukraine Peace Summit, convened at the request of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, sought to garner international support for restoring peace and stability in Ukraine. President Ruto was among the distinguished world leaders invited to the Summit, which focused on consultations aligned with the UN Charter.
French President Emmanuel Macron, also present at the Summit, reassured the international community that the West is not at war with Russia, despite the ongoing tensions and economic sanctions. The Summit served as a platform for global leaders to discuss and advocate for peaceful resolutions to the conflict.
Korir Sing’oei, Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary, noted that President Ruto’s central message at the Peace Summit underscored the blatant violation of the UN Charter by Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine. However, Ruto’s criticism of the West’s retaliatory measures added a nuanced perspective to the discussions, calling for a balanced approach that upholds international law and justice.
The Ukraine Peace Summit concluded with a call for continued dialogue and cooperation among nations to achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict, respecting the sovereignty of Ukraine and the principles enshrined in the UN Charter.
