Putin: West's immobilization of Russian assets is theft that won't go unpunished

MOSCOW. June 14 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has called the immobilization of Russian assets in the West theft that won't go unpunished.

"Western states have immobilized some of Russia's assets and forex reserves. Now they are thinking about how to provide at least some legal framework to finally appropriate them," Putin said at the Russian Foreign Ministry on Friday.

"Despite all the chicanery, theft will certainly remain theft," he said.

"It won't go unpunished either," Putin said.

"By stealing Russian assets, they [Western countries] are taking yet another step towards destroying the system which they built and which ensured their prosperity and allowed them to consume more than they earn for decades," he said.

"Now it is becoming obvious to all countries, companies and sovereign funds that their assets and reserves are far from safe both legally and economically," Putin said, adding, "Anyone could be next in the line destined for expropriation by the United States and the West."