Russian TV broadcasts a new propaganda moment for domestic consumption, now accusing the European Union of “robbing the Russian people” and the common people of Russia.

“Very important news has arrived. EU countries informed the European Commission about the freezing of some assets of the Central Bank [Ruse] worth more than 200 billion euros,” says the presenter of the “Russia-1” TV show.

“Why is this news important? Assets for 200 billion euros, I emphasize, the Central Bank. That is, not the oligarchs’ yachts. I think when our people hear about the confiscation of a palace or a yacht somewhere, they seem to smile, realizing that these are illegal actions, but still…” he continues.

“[Însă] this is the money of teachers and doctors. This is money for roads, bridges, and new schools. In other words, the European Commission robbed the Russian people, the common people,” he accuses.

Data that caused anger in Moscow

Russia-1’s comments came after the European Commission said on Thursday that the value of Russian assets frozen in member states since the start of the invasion of Ukraine exceeded 200 billion euros and that they would remain frozen amid discussions over their possible use for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

The announcement by the bloc’s executive branch came after the tenth package of sanctions against Russia forced banks to report the size of their frozen assets.

“The EU is committed to ensuring that Russia pays for the damage done to Ukraine,” EU spokesman Christian Wiegand said on Thursday.

He added that the EU is “exploring ways to use frozen and frozen Russian assets for this purpose.”

The new figures also show that the EU has frozen €24.1bn worth of private Russian assets belonging to individuals or entities sanctioned by the bloc over Vladimir Putin’s invasion on February 24 last year.

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