Germany opposes the seizure of frozen Russian assets, fearing new lawsuits against Berlin for World War II crimes, the US newspaper Wall Street Journal reported.
According to the published information, Berlin opposes US-led attempts to confiscate some $300 billion in Russian central bank assets that were frozen at the start of the military conflict in Ukraine.
“Germany fears that seizing rather than freezing the funds could set a precedent and trigger new lawsuits against it for World War II crimes,” the report said.
The newspaper pointed to Germany’s position that international law prohibits private individuals from suing states in foreign courts and that state assets are protected from confiscation. A violation of this principle in the case of Russia could destroy Germany’s long-standing legal position, the publication noted.
In addition, the publication emphasises that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz does not want to take the risk, as this step could lead to lawsuits against other European countries for slavery and colonialism.
Earlier, German Ambassador to Moscow Alexander Lambsdorff said in an interview with RND that Germany would have to co-operate with Russia despite the countries’ very different positions on fundamental issues.