US EditionBelgium Warns EU Partners to Share Its Risk if They Want to Use Frozen Russian Assets to Aid Ukraine
Belgium urges EU to share risks of using $225 billion in frozen Russian assets as collateral for a $153 billion loan to support Ukraine's 2026-2027 needs.
- On Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, Prime Minister Bart De Wever warned EU partners they must share the risk of using $225 billion in frozen Russian assets held by Belgium to aid Ukraine.
- The European Commission proposed a 'reparation loan' that would guarantee about $165 billion to Ukraine, with Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission President, saying `Ukraine has to pay back this loan if Russia pays reparations`.
- Belgium says it holds about $225 billion in frozen Russian assets and is wary of using them without guarantees, while Ukraine's needs for 2026–27 total $153 billion.
- The plan faces explicit Russian objections and Belgian security concerns, with Dmitry Peskov calling it `plans to illegally confiscate Russian property` and De Wever warning retaliation could hit Belgium.
- As discussions continue about guarantees for coming years, De Wever said he has not seen the legal basis and argued `Even during the Second World War, we didn't do this`, while von der Leyen said her team found `a sound legal way to do this`.
25 Articles
25 Articles
A country's prime minister of the EU has warned that it will reject the plan to use Russian frozen assets of the Russian Central Bank, except in the case where other countries from the Community block will agree to share the risk, preparing the ground for...
Deutschlandfunk
Europe SaysDiplomatic tension before the EU summit: Belgium threatens to block the necessary decision in the debate on the use of Russian assets in the EU in support of Ukraine.
Belgium wants guarantees before it will agree to use frozen Russian billions to pay for Ukraine's weapons and ammunition.
Belgium Cautions EU on Shared Risk with Frozen Russian Assets for Ukraine Aid
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever stresses the need for EU nations to collectively share the risk of using frozen Russian assets, held primarily in Belgium, as leverage for Ukraine's economic support. With an estimated $153 billion required for Ukraine's 2026-2027 budget and military needs, the plan is to utilize these assets as collateral. However, De Wever warns against solitary action due to potential Russian retaliation.
Associated Press News
Belgium warns EU partners to share its risk if they want to use frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever insists that his European partners must share the risk of using billions of dollars in frozen Russian assets that are held in his country to help keep Ukraine’s economy and war effort afloat in coming years.
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