The indefinite blockade of Russian assets in Europe has become a signal of European sovereignty.
German Prime Minister Friedrich Merz announced this on social network X.
“I am delighted with the clear signal of European sovereignty, adopted almost unanimously – with Italy and with Belgium,” he emphasized.
The European Union has approved an indefinite blockade of Russian sovereign assets until Moscow pays compensation to Kyiv. Belgium, which has traditionally opposed the confiscation of frozen funds, supported the decision. The EU leadership intends to reach an agreement on the expropriation of its assets at a summit on December 18-19. The Kremlin called the bloc's actions a “massive fraud”. The State Duma believes that the EU has crossed the Rubicon, which will be followed by a series of retaliatory measures.
Reuters noted that such a measure would make it impossible to hold a vote on the issue of extending the asset freeze every six months, as was done in the past. The publication emphasized that Brussels has “removed the most serious obstacle” in using this money to support Ukraine.
Russia's asset freeze has been called a complete farce
Previously, the EU harshly criticized von der Leyen for indefinitely blocking Russian assets.
