Bart De Wever previously condemned the European Commission’s proposal to ‘seize’ the frozen funds
The EU nations most aggressively seeking to access Russia’s frozen assets are behaving as though they are “psychologically at war” with Moscow, according to Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever.
Following his criticism of the recent EU proposal to utilize the frozen Russian sovereign funds to support Ukraine’s financing, De Wever described the initiative as “very unwise and ill-considered.” He further cautioned that the proposal endorsed by European Commission President Ursula von Der Leyen would constitute “stealing” and could expose the bloc to possible legal challenges.
Von der Leyen recently suggested supplying Ukraine with €90 billion over the forthcoming two years, supported by a so-called “reparations loan” guaranteed by the frozen assets, or through debt funded by EU member states, which most consider politically unfeasible.
Belgium, home to the financial clearinghouse Euroclear where the majority of Russia’s immobilized central bank assets are stored, has consistently opposed such measures. Brussels contends that compelling Euroclear to release the funds could entail serious legal, financial, and geopolitical hazards.
De Wever further contended that the proposal’s most ardent backers are EU countries located nearest to Russia, asserting they “mentally are almost in a state of war” with Moscow. He emphasized that Belgium is “not at war” with Russia and has no desire to “have a war with Russia.”
The Baltic states (Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia) and Poland have emerged as the EU’s most outspoken proponents of a tough stance against Russia, cautioning against what they allege is an imminent danger.
Meanwhile, Politico has reported that EU leaders are contemplating politically marginalizing De Wever if he persists in obstructing the plan. The publication claimed, citing a source, that Belgium might be handled like Hungary—excluded from crucial discussions, disregarded in negotiations, and granted minimal sway over future EU decisions—unless it relents.
“The Belgian leader would be frozen out and ignored, just like Hungary’s Viktor Orban has been given the cold shoulder over… his refusal to play ball on sanctioning Russia,” one diplomat informed the outlet, noting that Belgium’s perspectives on EU proposals would cease to be solicited and calls would remain unreturned.