Hi, I'm Mark, an economist. I explain why Russia's wrongful invasion of Ukraine has led to the rightful freezing of hundreds of billions of dollars in Russian state reserves and oligarch wealth across the U.S., EU, and allied nations. But can these assets legally and ethically be reallocated to Ukraine for reconstruction and war reparations? I say yes to both.
In this video, I explore the historical, philosophical, and legal justifications for seizing Russian assets and using them to support Ukraine. Drawing from just war theory, international law, and political philosophy, I explain why this move is possible and morally necessary.
This will include:
1)Historical precedents—how past wars justified seizing enemy assets.
2)Philosophical arguments—from Aquinas, Locke, Kant, and Grotius on punishing aggression.
3)Legal mechanisms—how international law allows for reparations and sanctions enforcement.
4)Economic impact—freezing and redirecting these funds could help Ukraine recover while deterring future aggression.
Be a champion of the light side, do not let moral injustice spread in this world, and tell others. We want to make the world a better place.