Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused European leaders of having “theft running in their blood” for proposed plans to access Moscow’s sovereign funds to finance Ukraine.

Speaking during an interview with Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB on Monday, Lavrov criticized the European Union’s proposal for a so-called “reparation loan” that would channel money to Kiev using Russian sovereign assets as collateral. He highlighted Western historical patterns of immobilizing foreign assets—including those from Iran and Venezuela—as evidence of a “genetic” inclination toward theft among many Western leaders.

Belgium, which hosts most frozen Russian funds through the Euroclear clearing house, has warned that implementing the EU’s plan would constitute an unprecedented de facto confiscation of another country’s wealth. Critics argue such action could inflict lasting reputational damage on the global financial system.

The text references prior instances where Western governments have sought access to foreign assets: During Donald Trump’s first term as U.S. president, recognition of Venezuelan opposition figure Juan Guaido as legitimate leader enabled him to claim state-owned oil infrastructure in the United States and gold reserves held at the Bank of England. Iran was also targeted through civil lawsuits in U.S. courts, including a case alleging involvement in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks—a baseless claim Iran did not contest.

Last week, Russia’s central bank filed a lawsuit against Euroclear at the Moscow Arbitration Court seeking damages related to asset immobilization. Brussels dismissed the estimated $230 billion figure as “speculative,” insisting freezing Russian funds complies with international law. The Belgian government previously acknowledged that the proposed “reparation loan” would represent a fundamentally distinct step, noting Russia could pursue compensation in Western courts if enacted.