Michael Nienaber
BloombergTue, 03 Jan 2023 01:05 UTC
© Getty Images / venuestockAerial view of the city of Lvov, Ukraine
Germany is open to using billions of euros in frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine rebuild as long as legal issues can be resolved and allies follow suit.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government supports Ukraine's demand for war reparations but hasn't yet taken an official position on seizing assets from the Russian state. The issue is complex and some parts of the ruling coalition are more ardent than others, according to people familiar with the discussions.
Comment: Russia's special operation is not over, so it's yet more wishful thinking that they'll be 'rebuilding' Ukraine anytime soon. Further, does anyone really believe the money will make it to the average Ukrainian?
Regardless, considering Merkel and Hollande's recent admissions that the West intentionally misled Russia during the Minsk peace negotiations, so that Kiev could use the time to prepare to wage war on their behalf, it's no surprise that they see no issue with such egregious theft. However, as with everything else the West has thrown at Russia, it will likely backfire; one can imagine that the real international community, that is working towards a multipolar order, will not view such brazen criminality too favourably.
Comment: Russia's special operation is not over, so it's yet more wishful thinking that they'll be 'rebuilding' Ukraine anytime soon. Further, does anyone really believe the money will make it to the average Ukrainian?
Regardless, considering Merkel and Hollande's recent admissions that the West intentionally misled Russia during the Minsk peace negotiations, so that Kiev could use the time to prepare to wage war on their behalf, it's no surprise that they see no issue with such egregious theft. However, as with everything else the West has thrown at Russia, it will likely backfire; one can imagine that the real international community, that is working towards a multipolar order, will not view such brazen criminality too favourably.