War damage in Mariupol [Mvs.gov.ua Wikimedia Commons]

• WHILE I read everywhere that the assets of sanctioned Russian oligarchs are being seized, in numerous jurisdictions, I have yet to learn just what is now being done with them.

Are they just lying idle? Is there any the long-term plan to realise them?

Given that much of these people’s wealth appears to have come from questionable acquisition of state property of the former Soviet Union, couldn’t their realisation be used to support those Russians who have fled their country to speak out against what Russia is doing in Ukraine?

These people have abandoned their families, homes and jobs; it seems reasonable that they should now receive material assistance from those whose wealth has enabled the Kremlin to act in the way it has.

As to the rebuilding of Ukraine’s destroyed infrastructure, this can surely be funded by those international arms manufacturers whose profits will surely have increased considerably over the past few months.

I seem to recall that at least one of the companies participating in the reconstruction of Iraq had also produced the ordnance used on that devastated country.

ANN CONNOLLY
Spencer Rise, NW5