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Prévot told Euronews “Conversation in Europe” that his government remains resolutely against this idea – despite the statement of the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Lein, who restored this issue a few days ago during her visit to Estonia.
“Honestly … the capture of these Russian state assets is actually not an option for Belgium,” he said.
Russian funds worth about 200 billion euros were stopped in the context of Western sanctions in response to a full invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Most of the money is stored in the EuroClear repository, which is subject to EU laws in financial markets. Prévot said that a violation of the rules, even in the case of an existential war, will leave the Belgian country and the EU expose, since sponsors can revise investments in them in the future.
“It would be a very bad message for other countries around the world. Some of them also have assets, state assets in Brussels or other parts of Europe, ”he said.
He said that the government “studied the possibility” of the seizure of immobilized assets and came to the conclusion that the influence would “destroy” trust in the euro.
This can “create huge negative consequences, systemic consequences for trusting European financial services,” he said.
Nevertheless, the allies of the EU and Ukraine, such as Great Britain, insist on this idea, since this will mean that Russia – and not Europe or Ukraine – will pay the price of war.
“We also promote work on the use of Russian assets, because it is clear that the predator should pay for what he did,” said the EU head Ursula von der Leyen.
An alternative plan from the UK is a possible transfer of assets to a separate investment fund.
However, Prévot also excluded this opportunity.
“Perhaps the change in strategic investments of current assets that Brussels are committed is also not an option for Belgium, because when we analyzed two options, we have many experts indicating a high risk, both legal and financial, which we can create.”
“That’s why I express the fact that Belgium will not take on this risk and, of course, not only.”
Belgium contribution to the coalition of those who wish
In addition, Prévot told Euronews that Europe needs the American structure for the authorities and the security warranty range that are ready to offer Ukraine.
He said that this is “truth” that the Trump government has “several” changes in plans and “ways of thinking” from the point of view of war in Ukraine.
He called on Trump to clearly describe the adherence of the United States and the proposal in the context of the post -Ukrainian.
“It will be important to have strong obligations in writing to be sure that we can expect and what will happen for the good of Ukraine,” he said.
Belgium participates in the coalition of those who wish and will contribute to 26 countries, which were committed to the development of troops or equipment in the post -Ukrainian. Prévot said that the details have not yet been completed, but noted that “support will mainly concern the aircraft” and that Belgium could also “contribute to efforts to raise minefields”.
The trust of the EU’s foreign policy is “wounded,” says Prévot
The Belgian minister also stated that his government acted to recognize Palestine and stop trading with illegal Israeli settlements on the western coast from the “war crimes” in Gaza.
“Children, women, the whole world and many citizens are starving. This is completely unacceptable. And I remind the Israeli government that the termination of humanitarian aid is a war crime, ”he said.
Prévot also condemned the EU for the inability to act, saying that the trust of the EU’s foreign policy is “destroyed” from Israel.
You can see an interview with Euronews SHONA MURRAY in the above playback program