Well, reserves are...just that: reserves. They are “held” by the owner or the possessor. Once the owner or possessor sells off some of those reserves, they are no longer reserves; they are a traded commodity. So, in order for the “reserves” to be stolen, someone would have to take possession of them without the approval of the owner.
So, they have not been stolen.
But, I think you know that, and you simply misspoke.
What gave you the fantods was likely due to the fact the contractual purchasers sought to pay for the commodity in the same manner they have been paying all along; but, mid-game, the seller is seeking a different medium of exchange. What does the contract stipulate? From what I’ve read and heard on the news is that payment can be made in euros or USD, and said nothing about rubles. Now, the seller, Russia, wants payment in rubles. Seeking to continue paying in the same manner that was acceptable to both parties does not constitute “stealing.”
The West has frozen 300 Billion of Euro and Dollar reserves belonging to Russia.
This would be a technical bank default - except the money's right there. It's theft by a Sovereign.
This is what I'm referring to when I refer to Force Majeure on the energy contracts.