In a move that signals renewed unity among European allies, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced that profits from frozen Russian assets will be used to finance Ukrainian arms purchases. The decision comes following a meeting between Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, aimed at presenting a united front against Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
During a joint press conference in Berlin on Friday, Scholz, Macron, and Tusk reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine, whose troops are facing some of their toughest battles since the early days of the war over two years ago.
Scholz outlined the agreement reached with his French and Polish counterparts, stating that they had decided on the need to procure more weapons for Ukraine from the global market and to boost the production of military equipment through various means, including cooperation with partners in Ukraine.
Addressing the European Union’s efforts to enhance support for Ukraine, Scholz declared, “We will use the windfall profits from Russian assets frozen in Europe to financially support the purchase of weapons for Ukraine.”
This decision aligns with the proposal put forward by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last month, calling for the EU to consider utilizing these profits for “jointly purchasing military equipment for Ukraine.”
