Merz Says Frozen Russian Assets Should Remain in Europe

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said frozen Russian assets held in Europe should stay there, asserting European control over holdings whose interest profits the European Union directs to support Ukraine. Under the EU’s current arrangement, the assets themselves remain immobilized while net profits generated by interest are directed to Ukraine. Merz made the statement in Brussels on Oct. 15 and said European countries would decide the assets’ future. About €210 billion in Russian assets were immobilized in the EU as of Dec. 3, 2025. The EU received €1.4 billion in interest revenue on Aug. 3, covering the first half of 2026. Cumulative profits since the assets were immobilized stood at €8 billion as of Aug. 5. Riza Dagoc reports on regulation, investing and the digital-asset business for TokenPost.

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