Merz called on the EU to confiscate frozen assets of the Russian Federation
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Wednesday, December 17, called on the European Union (EU) to confiscate frozen assets of Russia.
"We need a decision by the European heads of state and government. And I will personally advocate for such a decision starting this evening in Brussels," he said during a speech in the Bundestag.
In addition, Merz added that the EU should "join forces even more in the field of defense," noting that in the future the union will begin to jointly develop, manufacture and purchase military systems in "significantly large volumes."
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on November 24 that EU leaders were determined to resolve the issue of frozen assets of the Russian Federation before the union's summit in December. Later, on December 17, Merz said that the chances of the EU making a decision on using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine were 50%. According to him, concerns regarding the decision to use Russian assets exist throughout Europe.
On December 3, the European Commission approved a potential "reparation loan" for Ukraine, which implies the expropriation of sovereign Russian assets in Europe. Later, on December 12, the Politico newspaper reported that Italy, Belgium, Bulgaria, Malta opposed the EU proposal to transfer frozen assets of the Russian Federation to Ukraine, which amount to about €210 billion.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on November 27 that the confiscation of Russian assets located in the European Union would have negative consequences. In turn, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov added on December 15 that the situation with frozen Russian assets shows that "theft is in the blood of Europeans."
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