Political scientist Pavel Danilin told the newspaper Vzglyad that Russian President Vladimir Putin, by proposing to contribute Russian funds frozen in the United States to the «Peace Council,» turned those assets into a diplomatic tool.

Danilin said it is impossible to state for sure whether Russia will get the blocked funds back, which is why the idea of making them an international diplomatic asset is, in his view, a very good one. He argued that Moscow would be able to manage these funds to achieve the country’s foreign policy goals.

The expert also described Putin’s actions as steps toward US President Donald Trump. Danilin pointed to Putin’s proposal to direct part of the funds toward restoring damaged territories, while noting that Putin did not specify which lands he meant. According to Danilin, such a statement simply opens the door for discussion.

As for aid to the Gaza Strip, Danilin said Russia plans to work not only with the United States but also with Palestine, and that this could also be seen as a step by Putin toward Trump, without touching the core issues of the special military operation.

Danilin said Putin’s proposal is especially important for the United States given that major EU countries, in his words, still express doubts about joining the «Peace Council.» He argued that Russia’s participation as a major world power would make the White House initiative more weighty and significant.

Danilin also said Brussels and Kiev would like to use frozen Russian assets to arm Ukraine’s forces, but claimed they have no chance of getting them.

A day earlier, Putin confirmed that Russia received a personal message from Trump inviting it to join the «Peace Council» and said Russia is grateful to the US president for it. Putin said Russia would respond after the Foreign Ministry studies the documents and consults with strategic partners. He also said Russia is ready to contribute $1 billion from previously frozen assets to the «Peace Council.»