Belgium’s position, opposing the use of Russia’s frozen assets, has remained unchanged, stated the country’s Foreign Minister on Wednesday, after a group of European countries tried to reopen the discussion on using the frozen funds to aid Ukraine, reports Reuters.
Last week, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and Sweden asked the European Union to consider using Russia’s frozen assets for the benefit of Ukraine, and some ministers reiterated this idea on Wednesday, during an informal meeting of the EU Foreign Ministers, held in Ireland.
EU countries have blocked assets of the Russian central bank worth approximately 210 billion euros ($243.43 billion) after Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022. About 185 billion euros of this amount are held at Euroclear, the Brussels-based central securities depository.
“The debate was brought back into discussion at the initiative of four European countries. However, it did not arouse much enthusiasm or interest among colleagues,” stated the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maxime Prevot, in a statement given after the discussions.
“I have made sure to reiterate Belgium’s position, which has remained unchanged for a year. The reasons underlying our opposition have not miraculously disappeared in the meantime,” he said, adding that “the use of these assets through a process equivalent to confiscation would involve very significant risks.”
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