Western allies are considering allowing 'Russian oligarchs to buy off sanctions and use the money to rebuild Ukraine,' AP reported, citing sources.

Canadian Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland proposed the idea at the G-7 finance ministers' meeting in Germany last week.

According to one official, Freeland raised the issue after the oligarchs talked to her about it. The Canadian minister is familiar with some "Russian oligarchs" when she worked as a journalist in Moscow.

The official said that the Ukrainians were aware of the discussions. According to him, it is also in the interests of the West that prominent Russian entrepreneurs disassociate themselves from Russian President Vladimir Putin and at the same time provide funding for Ukraine.

The proposal was raised in the context of giving Ukraine more money and how frozen funds and Russian assets could be a source of funds.

It's just an idea for now, the official said, but Western allies have shown interest. European Union officials spoke of the need to find new ways to confiscate assets and provide money to Ukraine.

The proposal could help remove legal hurdles for authorities in countries like Germany, where the bar for seizing frozen assets is very high.