Criticizing the EU asset seizure plan, Member of the European Parliament Thierry Mariani, French President of the Association Franco-Russe, told Izvestia that “it would send a disastrous signal in political terms. At a time when the Russian and U.S. sides are holding an indirect dialogue on finding ways of de-escalation, creating such a radical precedent would mean shutting the door to any diplomatic progress. And it would also portray the European Union as an unreliable player who is ready to backtrack on its own principles for momentary gain,” he argued.