The issue of access to Russian assets continues to face resistance from Belgium, prompting EU ambassadors to gather for a meeting on Wednesday morning. The goal of this meeting is to try to agree on important details ahead of the EU summit taking place in Brussels on Thursday.
According to information from Politico, some of Ukraine's allies are considering actions that do not require Belgium's participation. Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina noted in this context: "It is important for Belgium to be involved. But if the only option is to vote with a qualified majority, then why not?" However, some EU diplomats warn that such actions could deepen existing divisions within the union and lead to a more serious institutional crisis.
Recall that on December 12, the Council of the European Union decided to indefinitely freeze Russia's sovereign assets. The European Commission hopes to gain the agreement of EU countries at the summit on December 18-19 for the expropriation of about €210 billion of Russian assets, of which €185 billion are held in the Euroclear depository in Belgium.
Previously, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that any potential confiscation of Russian assets in Europe would be regarded as an act of theft. According to TASS, citing Russian Justice Minister Konstantin Chuychenko, the Russian leadership has already received proposals for retaliatory measures in the event of asset seizures by Western countries.
