Ukraine War: Chancellor Friedtich Merz does not want to transfer Russian assets to the USA
Friedrich Merz calls for permanent support and rejects the transfer of Russian assets to the USA
Quick Look
- At the EU summit in Brussels, Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for an increase in aid to Ukraine.
- He stressed the need for ongoing support and opposed the transfer of frozen Russian assets to the US.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The EU summit addresses Ukraine's continued support against the Russian invasion. There are also debates about the use of frozen Russian assets.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for greater support for Ukraine at the EU summit in Brussels. "I advocated in various smaller meetings this morning that we do everything we can to help Ukraine over the winter and next year as well," said the CDU politician in Brussels. "We will have to increase the resources here again in order to really provide lasting help to Ukraine."
Merz referred to his recent visit to Kyiv. "We are seeing a wave of attacks from Russia that is becoming increasingly ruthless." He remains convinced that it is not just the existence of the attacked country that needs to be defended. “We are defending the European political order, which is really being put under pressure by Russia in every respect,” said Merz.
Russian assets should not go to the USA
The German Chancellor also spoke out clearly against transferring part of the Russian assets frozen in the EU to the USA in order to then use them as leverage in efforts to negotiate peace. The assets, around 210 billion euros, should remain in Europe, the Chancellor said. "That's our business and we'll decide."
The Financial Times had previously reported that the idea of transferring part of the assets to the USA was put forward at a meeting of government representatives from the USA, Ukraine and Europe in Miami. Germany, Great Britain and France also took part.
Le Pen wants to stop aid to Ukraine
Support for Ukraine will also be on the agenda of the EU summit on Friday, when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected. Both the EU's future funding and support for Ukraine could soon be called into question if Eurosceptic candidates win elections in several countries in 2027.
The right-wing populist Marine Le Pen announced in Brussels on Wednesday that if she wins the election, she would stop her country's aid after six months. She justified this by saying that France no longer had the money for it. "I'm not surprising anyone," said Le Pen. It was only "honest" to Zelensky to "tell him that we can no longer support this financial aid."
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Discussion about aid to Ukraine at the EU summit on Friday
Very likely · Within days
Open Questions
- How will the EU secure Ukraine's long-term financing?
- What impact would election results in 2027 have on aid to Ukraine?
