The German Chancellor and the head of the European Commission convinced the Prime Minister of Belgium to use Russian assets
Von der Leyen said after the meeting that the leaders had a constructive exchange of views. — Belgium's special situation regarding the use of frozen Russian assets is undeniable and must be resolved in such a way that all European countries bear the same risk, she emphasized. She added that the goal is to reach a consensus on further support for Ukraine at the European Council meeting on December 18.
First, Merz met with von der Leyen at the EC headquarters in Brussels, and then they went together to the Prime Minister of Belgium. As reported by the Belgian public broadcaster VRT, the meeting of the three leaders ended before 22.
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What were the results of the leaders' meeting in Brussels?
What are Belgium's concerns regarding frozen assets?
What options for financing support for Ukraine did von der Leyen propose?
What did de Wever say about pressure from other countries?
The head of the German government canceled his visit to Norway to come to Brussels for a talk with de Wever.
According to the EC's proposal, the assets of the Russian central bank frozen since 2022 are to be used to finance a reparations loan for Ukraine. She is to return the money when Russia pays her compensation for war losses.
Belgium, which hosts the Euroclear clearing house that holds most of the frozen funds, is not convinced of this solution. Prime Minister de Wever has repeatedly said that Belgium is not ready for such a solution because he is afraid that it will have to pay the money to Russia itself if it wins in court.
On Wednesday, von der Leyen clarified her plans by presenting draft regulations. She proposed two options for further financing support for Ukraine: using Russian assets or debt incurred by the EU. According to von der Leyen, this will cover two thirds of Ukraine's needs for 2026-2027. Therefore, according to the calculations of the International Monetary Fund, we are talking about EUR 90 billion. Von der Leyen declared that the EC had responded to all of Belgium's reservations, offering it guarantees in the event of Russian claims.
De Wever: I won't be forced
De Wever opposed the EC's proposal. Before meeting with Merz and von der Leyen, he said he could not be forced to support her.
— I am able to define my position, even if there are big, strong neighbors whom I like very much and respect politically, who may ask me to do something different. I have only one responsibility: the interests of Belgian taxpayers, he emphasized.
Merz supported the use of Russian assets, while opposing the idea of the EU taking out joint debt.
The proposal to use Russian assets, presented by the European Commission on Wednesday, does not require the consent of all 27 EU capitals, but a qualified majority of 15 member states constituting 65%. population. It can therefore be approved without Belgium's consent.
