Britain hosts talks over looted Ukrainian assets

LONDON, April 29 (UPI) -- A two-day meeting has convened in London, aimed at recovering assets believed to have been looted during the regime of deposed president Viktor Yanukovych.

The meeting, organized by the Ukraine Forum on Asset Recovery (UFAR) and led by the United States and the United Kingdom, is designed to track down stolen assets and send “a strong message that there is no impunity to those who carry out such illegal actions,” a statement from the forum said.

British Interior minister Teresa May noted the meeting presented international support for Ukrainians and “a strong commitment to the people of Ukraine. It (the meeting) will also provide practical leadership and assistance to the Ukrainian government as they identify and recover assets looted under the Yanukovych regime.”

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said the United States was determined to “support Ukrainian leaders and citizens as they combat corruption.”

Yanukovych, elected president, was ousted in February and is believed to be living near Moscow.