German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called on the European Union to use $160 billion of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine’s benefit – particularly the continued supply of weapons – in a major policy U-turn by Berlin.
In an op-ed for the Financial Times, Merz said the moves were necessary so that Ukraine can demonstrate “greater staying power” in the war in the hope of forcing the Kremlin to the negotiating table.
In the past Berlin has been reluctant to use the funds, citing legal and financial concerns. On Thursday, Merz adopted a more forthright tone. “This must not hold us back,” he said, urging the EU to consider “circumventing these problems.”
He added, “I…
