started · updated
Belgium opposes using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine aid
Belgium has reaffirmed its opposition to using approximately €210 billion in frozen Russian assets to fund aid for Ukraine. Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot stated that the proposal, which would involve a process akin to confiscation, carries significant legal and financial risks.
The debate was raised during an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Ireland, following a joint initiative by Sweden, Spain, the Netherlands, and Poland to reconsider the use of these assets. However, Prévot noted that the discussion generated little enthusiasm or interest among his EU colleagues.
Most of the immobilized assets, roughly 90%, are held in Belgium and managed by the depository Euroclear. This follows a previous EU decision in December to opt for a €90 billion loan for Ukraine, financed through joint debt guaranteed by the EU budget, rather than utilizing frozen Russian funds. The Russian Central Bank has previously filed a lawsuit against Euroclear regarding these assets.
Entities
Belgium · Euroclear · European Union · Maxime Prévot · Russia · Ukraine
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 8 SOURCES] EU leaders previously agreed on a 90 billion euro loan for Ukraine, guaranteed by the EU budget. www.ziarulnational.md · www.aktuality.sk · ereport.sk · hnonline.sk · www.realitatea.net · +3 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot reaffirmed Belgium's opposition to using frozen Russian assets to fund aid for Ukraine. www.ziarulnational.md · www.aktuality.sk · ereport.sk · hnonline.sk · www.realitatea.net
- [● 8 SOURCES] Approximately 210 billion euros in Russian assets are frozen within the EU. www.ziarulnational.md · www.aktuality.sk · ereport.sk · hnonline.sk · www.realitatea.net · +3 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] Sweden, Spain, the Netherlands, and Poland have called for the EU to reconsider using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine. www.ziarulnational.md · www.aktuality.sk · ereport.sk · hnonline.sk · www.realitatea.net · +3 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] The initiative to reuse frozen Russian assets did not generate significant interest among EU ministers during a meeting in Ireland. www.ziarulnational.md · www.aktuality.sk · ereport.sk · hnonline.sk · www.realitatea.net · +3 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] About 90% of the frozen Russian assets are held in Belgium and managed by Euroclear. www.ziarulnational.md · www.aktuality.sk · ereport.sk · hnonline.sk · www.realitatea.net · +3 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] EU leaders previously opted for joint debt to finance a €90 billion loan instead of using Russian assets. www.euronews.com · fr.euronews.com · hu.euronews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The majority of the immobilized assets are held at Euroclear in Brussels. www.euronews.com · fr.euronews.com · hu.euronews.com
- [● 8 SOURCES] Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot stated that using the assets in a manner resembling confiscation carries significant risks. www.euronews.com · fr.euronews.com · hu.euronews.com · www.ziarulnational.md · www.aktuality.sk · +3 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] Sweden, the Netherlands, Spain, and Poland led a push to use the assets for Ukraine support. www.euronews.com · fr.euronews.com · hu.euronews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Russian Central Bank has filed a lawsuit against Euroclear. www.euronews.com · fr.euronews.com · hu.euronews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The European Union holds €210 billion in immobilized Russian Central Bank assets. www.euronews.com · fr.euronews.com · hu.euronews.com