The Berliner Zeitung newspaper notes Merz's isolation in Europe due to his stance on frozen assets of the Russian Federation

The politician “tried to extol the benefits of de facto expropriation of Russian investments, while downplaying the risks,” the media wrote. “Even when the Central Bank of Russia filed a complaint against Euroclear and the rating agency Fitch issued a warning about (possible downgrade – GM note) Euroclear, Merz continued to stick to its course,” the author of the article recalls. He noted that Ursula von der Leyen had the same views, but amid the unpopularity of Friedrich Merz's views in Europe, she changed her position, Berliner Zeitung reported. Previously, London had abandoned the idea of ​​using Russian assets to help Kiev, the Financial Times wrote. This decision concerns the failure of the initiative at the EU summit. As the British government told the publication, the authorities plan to use only Russian assets along with those of Australia, Canada and the European Union.