“Very dangerous”, Belgium opposes the use of Russian assets for Ukraine – Merz and Macron demand a quick decision in the EU
Express newspaper
02/10/2025 23:36
The initiative, promoted by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, to use frozen Russian central bank funds for Ukraine, is encountering massive resistance from another key player.
At a European summit in Copenhagen, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever accused the project’s supporters of grossly underestimating the risks and not having answers to open questions. They are entering uncharted waters.
“This is very, very dangerous,” he said. In addition to the risk of expropriation of assets of European companies in Russia, De Wever also mentioned the possibility of attempted attacks against the head of the Belgian financial institution Euroclear.
It was German Chancellor Friedrich Merz who said that a decision on the use of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine would likely be taken at the EU summit in three weeks. “There will most likely be a concrete decision on this at the next European Council in three weeks,” Merz said on Thursday in Copenhagen, on the sidelines of the European Political Community discussions. “However, I leave Copenhagen with the strong feeling that there is a very broad agreement within the European Union and also within the European Political Community to follow this path. Putin should not underestimate our determination,” the Chancellor stressed.
For his part, French President Emmanuel Macron has called on European countries to take more decisive action against Russian intrusive drones. “It is very important to send a clear message: drones that enter our territory carry a great risk. They can be destroyed, period,” Macron said in Copenhagen on Thursday. A warning cannot be issued every time. “We will do what is necessary,” Macron said.
Regarding Russian assets, Macron said that “we will respect international law because the credibility of Europeans and the attractiveness of Europe are at stake. And the Belgian Prime Minister is absolutely right to always remind us of these rules. Europe is not a continent where someone can suddenly seize the assets of any central bank, whoever it may be. We respect international law,” said French President Emmanuel Macron as he left the European Political Community summit in Copenhagen.