German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday (December 4) firmly rejected U.S. proposals to use Russian assets frozen in the European Union for the benefit of the United States, emphasizing that these funds should be directed to support Ukraine.
Speaking in Berlin, Merz described the issue as a "European matter" and stated that there is no way to economically transfer these mobilized funds to the U.S.
"This money must go to Ukraine," Merz told reporters. "The American government knows this, and it is the consensus at the European level. There are no differences whatsoever on this issue."
The U.S. has expressed its desire to use some of the frozen Russian assets for its own economic gain, but Merz made it clear that while the U.S. might have legitimate interests in such a proposal, it is not the aim of the operation Europe intends to launch. "The Americans partly agree with this," he acknowledged, "but it is not the aim of the operation that we want to launch together in Europe in the next few days."
The disagreement centers around the U.S. desire to utilize some of the frozen Russian assets for its own purposes, a plan that has faced significant opposition in Europe. Merz’s strong stance is in line with the German government's negotiating position, which insists that the money mobilized from these assets should flow directly to Ukraine to aid in its ongoing recovery and defense amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.
On Friday (December 5), Merz is set to meet with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever to persuade him to abandon his opposition to using the frozen Russian assets to secure a €165 billion loan for Ukraine. This decision is expected to be a key topic of discussion at an upcoming EU summit in Brussels, where leaders from the 27 EU member states will meet on December 18 and 19 to finalize their stance on the issue.
The outcome of these discussions is pivotal for Europe’s efforts to support Ukraine, which has been struggling with the economic and humanitarian fallout from the ongoing war with Russia. By using the frozen Russian assets to bolster Ukraine’s economy, European leaders aim to provide vital financial assistance while also ensuring that the funds are used for their intended purpose: to help Ukraine recover and strengthen its defenses.
As the situation develops, the EU’s decision will be closely watched, with the prospect of a unified European stance crucial for the future of Ukraine and the broader geopolitical landscape.
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