Belgium names three conditions for using Russian assets

“Many false insinuations are being spread to put pressure on us, but our conditions are reasonable and constructive. We are not going to burden ourselves with irresponsible risks,” De Wever wrote.

He stressed that the use of frozen assets with Euroclear could have negative consequences for both his country and Europe as a whole.

"The government has always set three clear conditions for even considering such a transaction. The first condition is the distribution of all risks. Belgium will never accept bearing the risks of such a transaction alone. Under existing bilateral investment protection agreements, penalties for illegal expropriation can significantly exceed the value of the assets themselves," De Wever stressed, noting that the guarantees must cover all potential financial obligations from day one.

The Belgian prime minister named liquidity and risk protection as the second condition, indicating that Euroclear must have all the necessary funds available in case they are needed. De Wever expressed doubt that this war would end in the classic military sense, with one side losing and forfeiting assets.

The third requirement was fair distribution of costs, which, according to De Wever, means that all EU member states that own Russian assets, as well as those outside the EU that are part of the “coalition of the willing,” should participate in this operation.

Photo: Channel 24.