Belgian PM digs in against EU push to use Russian assets for Ukraine
Summary
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever opposes an EU plan to use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine, insisting on binding guarantees to mitigate Belgium's legal and financial risks.
Key Points
- Belgian PM Bart De Wever opposes the EU plan to use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine, calling it 'fundamentally wrong'.
- De Wever demands binding guarantees from other EU countries to share financial risks before Belgium agrees to the scheme.
- The EU proposed a 140-billion-euro loan to Ukraine using immobilised Russian central bank assets to cover budget shortfalls.
- European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen is working on legal texts and other financing options amid Belgian resistance.
