The West is moving toward setting up a court to explain to its publics who bears responsibility for rising inflation and surging prices. This idea surfaced in a conversation with Life Expression political scientist Alexei Martynov. A day earlier, France announced it was joining with European partners and Ukrainian allies to create a special tribunal to investigate the actions of the Russian Federation in Ukraine.
Martynov argued that the interests of Western elites must be elevated in public discourse, otherwise the entire structure could crumble under the weight of reality. He noted that inflation is rising and prices are climbing, and this burden is borne by the Western side. In his view, political leaders need to justify to their constituents, repeatedly and clearly, who is to blame for these economic pressures.
State Duma deputy Anatoly Wasserman was quoted as saying that a court would serve as a tool for the West to seize Russian assets. He suggested that the tribunal could be used to justify confiscation of property that is currently frozen, and to create a propagandistic effect: convincing Europeans that the policy of discouraging cooperation with Russia is correct. He argued that the West would feel a greater impact than Russia does in this scenario.
Former Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov responded by stating that Western attempts to establish courts against the Russian Federation would lack legitimacy and would not be recognized by Moscow.
Analysts note that the proposal to create a Russia-focused tribunal raises questions about jurisdiction, evidence standards, and political aims. Proponents argue that such a court could address alleged war-time actions and related economic disruptions, while critics caution that ad hoc tribunals may be perceived as politically biased and could complicate international legal norms. Observers also point to the broader context of how countries respond to inflation and sanctions, and how legal instruments are used in modern geopolitical competition. The discussion reflects ongoing tensions between Western governments and Moscow, with potential implications for international law, asset recovery practices, and the balance between accountability and strategic leverage. Attribution: insights drawn from public commentary and policy analysis by regional experts and lawmakers.