German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has intensified calls for the European Union to act swiftly on utilizing frozen Russian assets, declaring the need to tap into Moscow’s immobilized funds for Ukraine’s defense and reconstruction efforts as “increasingly urgent.”
Speaking during a press conference alongside Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob in Berlin on November 28, Merz expressed optimism that EU member nations would reach a consensus on this critical financial strategy in the coming weeks. The German leader has emerged as one of the most vocal proponents of redirecting Russia’s frozen assets to support Ukraine’s ongoing resistance against the invasion.
The push to utilize these immobilized Russian funds represents a significant shift in how Western nations approach funding Ukraine’s war effort and eventual reconstruction. Since the conflict began, European countries have frozen substantial Russian assets held within their financial systems as part of broader sanctions packages designed to pressure Moscow economically.
Merz’s latest statements underscore growing momentum within European leadership circles to move beyond traditional aid packages and tap into the estimated billions of dollars in Russian state assets currently held in EU financial institutions. This approach would essentially force Russia to partially fund the very conflict it initiated and the reconstruction of territories it has damaged.
The German Chancellor’s advocacy for this strategy comes at a crucial juncture in the conflict, as Ukraine continues to face mounting costs for both immediate defense needs and long-term rebuilding efforts. Traditional donor fatigue among supporting nations has made alternative funding mechanisms increasingly attractive to policymakers across Europe.
While technical and legal challenges remain in implementing such a system, Merz’s public push suggests that European leaders are moving closer to overcoming these obstacles. The utilization of frozen Russian assets could provide a sustainable funding stream that doesn’t rely solely on taxpayer contributions from supporting nations.
The timing of these remarks, delivered alongside Slovenia’s Prime Minister, also highlights the broader European consensus building around this approach. As EU nations work to maintain unity in their response to the ongoing conflict, creative financing solutions like asset seizure represent both practical necessity and symbolic justice.
