Russia should defend citizens' property interests, but Russians suing for assets in UK irresponsible - Makarov
MOSCOW. March 14 (Interfax) - Russia should defend the interests of its citizens and their property by any means if the United Kingdom takes measures to seize their assets, Andrei Makarov, the head of the State Duma's Budget and Taxes Committee, said.
"I proceed from the belief that the state should defend its citizens, and to that end, it should use all available means at its disposal," Makarov told reporters in response to a question as to how Russia could respond if the UK imposes sanctions related to the seizure of wealthy Russians' property in the country.
At the same time, the lawmaker said one must not get ahead of oneself.
He said Russian businesspersons who sue for major Russian assets in London's High Court of Justice act irresponsibly. "I vividly remember that, for instance, there is a provision in the German Constitution. It reads thus: private property entails responsibility for the public good. This is why the defense of the interests of the business community abroad and business property abroad is a two-way street," Makarov said.