Kremlin Comments on the Idea of Seizing Property from Those Who Left Russia

Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation, commented on the proposal to deprive those who left Russia of their property, stating that it is impossible to open "Pandora's boxes" in this situation, and that the fight must be against enemies.

Earlier, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin announced that a provision on property confiscation should be added to the Criminal Code regarding citizens who have left the country while openly supporting fascists and insulting the Russian Federation.

According to Peskov, "some of our compatriots recently consider it possible to insult Russia, its residents, soldiers, and officers while openly supporting criminals, Nazis, and murderers." He further noted, "Their goal is to gain favor and try to maintain their prosperity abroad."

"This is indeed a very complicated issue and is topical in our times, but it is impossible to, say, open several boxes of Pandora here; after all, enemies are enemies, and we must fight against them, but everyone else are our citizens, and they must remain our citizens," Peskov stated in a commentary published by Life.

He also added that for this issue, it is necessary to "clearly define" at the outset what is specifically considered a crime.

Peskov believes that the authorities should do everything possible to encourage Russians who left the country but are not enemies of the state to wish to return.

"Enemies are enemies; we need to fight against them, but all the rest are our citizens, and they must remain our citizens. We must ensure that even those who have gone away want to come back here. They are all equally our citizens, and everyone may have different reasons for leaving. But those who have not slipped into an openly hostile attitude toward our country are our citizens for whom we must fight," he concluded.