Belgium's Stand: The Battle Over Russian Assets and Loans to Ukraine

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has presented stringent conditions for using Russian immobilized assets to fund a €140 billion loan to Ukraine. He voiced opposition until clear guarantees and mutual EU responsibility are established.

De Wever questioned the legal foundation for such a move, noting the assets' untouched status even during World War Two. He insisted on shared risk and repayment guarantees among EU members, striving for consensus at an EU summit.

Emphasizing alignment across nations, De Wever highlighted Belgium's unique position via Euroclear, offering profits to Ukraine. He urged transparency from other holders of Russian funds, threatening to politically and legally counter the initiative without agreement on his terms.