Belgium’s prime minister Bart De Wever has called for Russian assets frozen since the outbreak of conflict in Ukraine to remain in the Euroclear securities depository in Belgium.
De Wever made the call on Tuesday, cautioning that seizing them to aid Ukraine would present major legal hurdles in future.
G7 nations have immobilized around $300 billion in Russian sovereign assets since Moscow’s 2022 invasion. The European Union estimates that €210 billion ($246 billion) of this sum is held within the bloc, largely in government bonds at Euroclear.
“A significant share of these funds is blocked in Brussels at Euroclear. I am aware that some governments are seeking to confiscate the money. But I would warn that this is not straightforward from a legal standpoint,” he told reporters at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin.
De Wever noted that the assets include Russian central bank reserves, which enjoy legal immunity. He warned that any attempt to seize them by political decree could trigger serious repercussions.
“Other states would also withdraw their sovereign funds. This could have systemic consequences and poses grave legal risks. I believe these state funds should remain immobilised,” he said.
He added that using profits generated by the assets to support Ukraine was acceptable, but stressed that the principal should remain untouched.
“It is like a goose that lays golden eggs. We must preserve the goose. Ultimately, when a peace treaty is discussed, then the goose can be placed on the table … Until that moment, it is prudent to maintain the current position,” he remarked.
U.S. President Donald Trump has been spearheading a renewed drive to bring the three-and-a-half-year conflict to an end.
Jordan’s King Abdullah II warned on Monday that what he described as “illegal” Israeli measures in the occupied West Bank risk undermining de-es...
Robert Duvall, the Oscar-winning actor renowned for his steely intensity and commanding performances in films including The Godfather and Apocalypse N...
Day 10 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics delivered high-stakes semifinals, dramatic finishes and classic podium moments across Milan and the ...
Geneva is set to host two sets of negotiations on Tuesday, with U.S. officials meeting Iranian representatives in the morning and a trilateral session...
The mother and widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny marked the second anniversary of his death on Monday, as European allies released an ...
Jordan’s King Abdullah II warned on Monday that what he described as “illegal” Israeli measures in the occupied West Bank risk undermining de-escalation efforts and inflaming regional tensions.
Robert Duvall, the Oscar-winning actor renowned for his steely intensity and commanding performances in films including The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, has died at the age of 95.
Day 10 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics delivered high-stakes semifinals, dramatic finishes and classic podium moments across Milan and the Italian Alps. Photographers captured split seconds of symmetry before puck drops, explosive turns on the ice and triumphant celebrations.
The mother and widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny marked the second anniversary of his death on Monday, as European allies released an assessment saying he was poisoned, adding that the Russian state had the means, motive and opportunity to deploy the lethal toxin.
U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said China has the power to bring an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine, arguing that Beijing is enabling Moscow’s military campaign.
Austria’s Janine Flock won the gold medal in the women’s skeleton event at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Saturday.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani said the United States could evaluate its own interests separately from those of Israel in ongoing negotiations between Tehran and Washington.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday (15 February) called it “troubling” a report by five European allies blaming Russia for killing late Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny using a toxin from poison dart frogs.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday that Russia’s decision to change the leadership of its delegation for upcoming peace talks in Geneva appeared to be an attempt to delay progress.
The Prime Minister, Mark Carney, announced on 16 February that the Honourable Janice Charette has been appointed as the next Chief Trade Negotiator to the United States.
Cuba’s fuel crisis has turned into a waste crisis, with garbage piling up on most street corners in Havana as many collection trucks lack enough petrol to operate.
Day 10 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics delivered high-stakes semifinals, dramatic finishes and classic podium moments across Milan and the Italian Alps. Photographers captured split seconds of symmetry before puck drops, explosive turns on the ice and triumphant celebrations.
The mother and widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny marked the second anniversary of his death on Monday, as European allies released an assessment saying he was poisoned, adding that the Russian state had the means, motive and opportunity to deploy the lethal toxin.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington is ready to pursue diplomacy with Iran as nuclear talks resume in Geneva, using a visit to Budapest on Monday (16 January) to reaffirm both U.S. negotiating aims and strong ties with Hungary ahead of its April election.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment