Merz postpones Norway trip for Belgium talks on frozen Russian assets

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has postponed an upcoming trip to Norway to be able to travel to Belgium for a meeting with Prime Minister Bart de Wever and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a government spokesman said in Berlin.

The talks over dinner in Brussels on Friday are likely to focus on the European Commission's proposal for using Russian assets frozen in the European Union to support Ukraine.

According to EU officials, the commission is looking to unlock Russian funds frozen in Belgium, Germany and other member states to provide Kiev with a loan for reparations of up to €210 billion ($245 billion).

Merz was originally due to travel to Oslo on Friday where he was to be hosted by King Harald V and Crown Prince Haakon in the Royal Palace in Oslo.

The German leader was also scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.