Hopes had risen recently that De Wever might reconsider his stance if the European Commission provided legal assurances that Belgium wouldn’t face financial risks. However, on Thursday, De Wever intensified his opposition to the Commission’s plans, despite mounting diplomatic pressure on Belgium. He expanded on his previous criticisms, asserting that the Commission’s scheme could obstruct a peace agreement in Ukraine. He suggested that without the EU’s plan, Russian assets might serve as leverage to bring Moscow to the negotiation table rather than being paid to Kyiv.
“Hastily advancing on the proposed reparations loan scheme would have the collateral effect of preventing an eventual peace deal,” De Wever stated in the letter.
Following a prolonged impasse, the Commission is anticipated to present a formal proposal detailing the loan on Friday or early next week. After not reaching an agreement in October, EU leaders are expected to address the most sensitive issues at their next summit in mid-December.
While most countries support the loan, De Wever remains unconvinced.
“In the very likely scenario that Russia is ultimately not officially deemed the losing party, it will, as history has shown, legitimately demand the return of its sovereign assets,” De Wever added in the letter.
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