Merz: Frozen assets of the Russian Federation will not be returned, but will be used for the benefit of Ukraine.

According to ТСН: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that Russia will not gain access to the frozen assets, which is the first step towards using these funds to support Ukraine.

This information was announced during a briefing with President Volodymyr Zelensky. The next step, according to Merz, will be a decision to use the assets for a loan for reparations. He expressed confidence that such a decision could be made as early as this week at the EU leaders' summit, as the bloc's legislation allows these issues to be decided by a qualified majority rather than unanimously.

“I understand the doubts of Belgium and other countries, but I do not share them. The goal is to support Ukraine so that it can defend itself. This is also a clear signal to Russia that the war must end as soon as possible,” emphasized the German Chancellor.

It should be noted that a scandal previously arose regarding the frozen assets of the RF. Belgium, where the majority of the blocked funds (about 189 billion euros) are stored, rejected the European Commission's plan. The European Central Bank (ECB) also did not support it.

President Zelensky noted that Ukraine is counting on funding that may be obtained through frozen Russian assets, as without this money the country will not be able to function.

Thus, events surrounding the frozen assets of Russia are gaining new momentum. Germany's position and support from other EU countries may become important factors for Ukraine's further efforts in restoring the economy and ensuring stability. The situation indicates the relevance of the issue of reparations and the willingness of the international community to support Ukraine in this difficult time.