Discussion on confiscation of frozen russian assets postponed, but can be returned to later - German Foreign Minister

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said that the issue of seizing frozen assets of the aggressor country russia to pay a reparations loan to Ukraine has been put on the back burner.

According to The Moscow Times, Wadephul said this at a joint press conference with Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot.

According to him, the discussion about seizing russian assets to finance a loan to Ukraine is over, as a "very good" replacement instrument has been found. He is referring to the EUR 90 billion loan agreed upon by the European Union countries

Wadephul added that the topic of seizure and use of frozen assets of the russian federation can be raised again when it comes to compensation for losses suffered by Ukraine as a result of a full-scale war

In 2025, the European Union actively discussed the idea of withdrawing almost EUR 200 billion of frozen assets from the Euroclear depository to finance Ukraine. This was opposed by a number of European countries, including Belgium, where Euroclear is based. Brussels fears that the confiscation could lead to lawsuits from russia and undermine confidence in the European financial system.

In November 2025, the European Commission presented three options for long-term financing of Ukraine, one of which included the confiscation of frozen russian assets.

In December, European Council President António Costa said that the European Union officially approved a EUR 90 billion loan to Ukraine.