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Belgium under EU pressure to support use of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine
2025-12-18 15:42:24 / BOTA
Belgium was under increasing pressure during the EU leaders' summit in Brussels to back plans to provide Ukraine with billions of euros - using frozen Russian assets - to cover Kiev's economic and military needs for the coming years.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned of serious consequences if a solution was not reached before current funding schemes for Ukraine run out.
The European Commission has proposed offering Ukraine up to 210 billion euros – secured by frozen Russian assets in the EU – as a reparations loan, of which 90 billion euros are proposed to cover financial and military needs in 2026 and 2027.
Kiev will only have to repay the loan if Russia pays reparations after the war.
Belgium, which holds assets worth approximately 185 billion euros, has opposed the EU plan, citing legal and financial risks.
"I think all European leaders should finally stand up to this situation," Tusk said.
Addressing the Belgian parliament, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever reiterated his concerns yesterday morning.
The Belgian government fears that Moscow could retaliate against European citizens and private companies – for example through expropriations in Russia – calling for protective measures.
De Wever has requested legally binding and unconditional guarantees from other EU countries – covering the entire loan amount, as well as protection from any potential claims for damages.
The loan, in theory, could be approved without Belgium's support, as it only requires a qualified majority - at least 15 of the 27 EU member states representing 65% of the bloc's population.
While it is widely seen as unlikely that other EU countries will move to bypass Belgium, impatience is growing among some leaders.
"Belgium is in a very sensitive place, but this is also a matter of political will, not just legal aspects," said Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa.
"In every political decision, there are always legal aspects. But we are politicians, we are the ones who set the rules as well," she added.
De Wever has backed the EU's proposal to take out joint debt to finance Ukraine - a move that would require unanimous support from all 27 member states under EU rules.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, a vocal supporter of the reparations loan, rejected the idea of joint EU borrowing.
"We are essentially faced with a choice between using European debt or Russian assets for Ukraine. And my opinion is clear: we should use Russian assets," Merz said.
"I don't see any better option than this. My impression is that we can reach an agreement. I understand the concerns of some member states, especially the Belgian government, but I hope we can solve them together," he added.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said he was against any form of financial aid to Ukraine.
Negotiations on financial support for Ukraine are expected to go into extra time, with EU leaders likely to remain in the Belgian capital until Friday.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa are insisting on finding a solution at the summit in Brussels.
"We have to find a solution," Von der Leyen said.
Costa, who is chairing the summit, said the meeting would not end without a final decision to secure Ukraine's financial needs for 2026 and 2027.
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