Chancellor Merz: We are discussing confiscation of frozen Russian assets
Germany and its allies will take action to confiscate frozen Russian assets if it is legally possible, Chancellor Friedrich Mertz said in an interview with Zeit newspaper, published on Thursday.
Discussions are also underway for more sanctions against Russia in the energy and in the banking sector and further actions regarding sanctions on individuals, Mertz said.
Possible seizure of Russian assets « is currently being clarified, » Mertz said. « If there is a way to mobilize the money on a solid legal basis, we will do it. However, we must also be aware of the risks that such a step brings to the European Financial Market. »
West to Putin: Stopping Fire on Monday or new large -scale sanctions
After Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops to Ukraine in 2022, the United States and their allies banned transactions with the Russian Central Bank and Finance Ministry, freezing about $ 300 billion in sovereign Russian assets.
European leaders want to use these assets to help restore Ukraine, but have not yet reached an agreement on how to avoid the creation of a problematic international precedent, with several options being considered.
Merz: The Peace Ball in Ukraine is in Russia and only there
Not everyone in Germany and the European Central Bank tend to simply confiscate state reserves, warning that such a move could face legal challenges and undermine the euro as a reserve currency.
Asked about the possible revival of the damaged Nord Stream gas pipeline, Merz said that he did not currently operate a license « and this is not intended to change. »
