Germany objects to the transfer of frozen russian assets to Ukraine

Germany does not support the withdrawal of frozen russian assets worth $300 billion for the restoration and military support of Ukraine. 

It is noted that Berlin fears that the confiscation could set a precedent and lead to new lawsuits against Germany for crimes committed during World War II.

According to the publication, Germany has been facing demands for further reparations for the Second World War for years, sometimes even affecting relations with neighboring countries.

After the war, Berlin did pay compensation to states, as well as more than $90 billion to Holocaust survivors and their families.

Nevertheless, calls for further reparations have recently reappeared. In particular, since 2019, Greece has demanded more than $300 billion, and since 2022, Poland has wanted to receive $1.3 trillion in compensation. 

Also in Italy, courts have awarded payments to the families of victims of the occupation, and some courts have even tried to seize German state assets in Italy. For this, Germany sued Italy in the International Court of Justice.

However, it is important to understand that the confiscation of assets of the aggressor state is primarily a political decision. If the state has the political will, the world's best lawyers will create tools that will allow the legal transfer of Russian money to Ukraine. Creating legislation that clearly states that asset confiscation is necessary for the current aggression to stop it is a feasible task. Under such conditions, Germany's assets will be safe. 

Source: Wall Street Journal