Belgium has rejected the idea of using frozen Russian assets to provide financial and military support to Ukraine. Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken said during a television appearance that the issue was completely non-negotiable and that the door to the initiative was definitively closed, Euractiv reported.
“This is not up for discussion. The door is closed,” Francken said on Friday evening.
Noting that Belgium’s opposition had sparked criticism, he singled out the Baltic states — among the strongest supporters of the reparations loan — for refusing to abandon the proposal.
“They should also be careful about constantly raising this issue again and again and putting us in a difficult position. I don’t think that is wise,” Francken said, referring to the Baltic states. He stressed that Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia receive significant support from Belgium.
European foreign ministers are expected to discuss the issue at a meeting in Ireland scheduled for September 1–2.
“Our prime minister will take a firm position,” Francken added.
