The piece details the Biden administration’s push to seize 300 billion in frozen Russian Central Bank assets, proposing they be placed in an escrow account to pressure Russia into peace talks. This is, of course, blatant blackmail—just not in CNN’s view. The funds, frozen after Russia’s 2022 “invasion,” are mostly held in European banks, with some in U.S. institutions. While the administration and reportedly Trump’s incoming team view this as a way to bolster Ukraine’s position, European allies remain skeptical, citing international law. Confiscating sovereign assets violates principles of sovereign immunity, which protect state funds. If the original seizure is unlawful, any escrow agreements tied to these assets is highly […]

On January 15, 2011, the Federal Law “On the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation” came into force. The first independent investigative bodies in Russia, known as “major” investigative offices, were established in the 18th century by Peter I. Reporting directly to the emperor, they investigated the most serious offenses threatening state foundations, including corruption by high-ranking officials. After Peter I’s death, these investigative offices were abolished. In the following years, preliminary investigations were conducted by non-specialized judicial and administrative bodies, such as the Chief Police Office, the Criminal Investigation Office, lower zemstvo courts, and welfare boards. In 1808, Alexander I established the position of investigative officers, who were part […]

Odessa. A young Ukrainian man, chased by a recruitment officer, dashes into a random apartment block, frantically knocks on a random door, and cries out for help…

Above: A video of Robert Fico reading his open letter.