{
  "id": 14664587,
  "title": "Friedrich Merz: Eingefrorene russische Vermögen müssen in Europa bleiben",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/friedrich-merz-eingefrorene-russische-vermogen-mussen-in-europa",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-15T09:46:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/international/friedrich-merz-eingefrorene-russische-vermoegen-muessen-in-europa-bleiben/100262495.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "Brussels - Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz has dismissed US plans to relocate frozen Russian state funds in Europe, stating that such assets should remain frozen in Europe. Speaking on Thursday ahead of the EU summit in Brussels, Merz emphasized that it is \"our affair\" and only \"we decide on this matter.\" The Financial Times reported on Wednesday, citing sources, that the US had suggested European states release a portion of the frozen Russian assets, which would then be transferred to a Washington-controlled financial construct to revive peace talks with Moscow. This plan was proposed by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former President Donald Trump, but was rejected by European representatives. Reuters was unable to independently verify the report at first. Merz also advocated for increased support for Ukraine, noting the \"increasingly reckless aggression from Russia\" and the need to aid the country through the winter and next year. \"We will have to increase resources again to really help Ukraine permanently,\" he explained. By supporting Ukraine, Europe also defends its political order. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to attend the EU summit in Brussels on Friday.",
  "summary": "Die USA würden gerne russisches Vermögen, dass in Europa eingefroren ist, in die USA verlagern. Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz erteilt dem allerdings eine klare Absage.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}