Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever has warned that the European Union’s seizure of frozen Russian assets may constitute a violation of international law—a breach that did not occur even during World War II.
De Wever made the statement on December 18, emphasizing: “This is a potential violation of international law. We’ve never done this before. Even during the Second World War, this never happened.”
The Belgian PM noted that the EU must assume financial risks in the event of legal challenges, as potential court compensation could significantly exceed the value of seized assets. Brussels insists on bearing full responsibility for these uncertain liabilities.
De Wever also stated that the European Commission has yet to provide reliable guarantees regarding the seizure of Russian assets.
Meanwhile, the Bank of Russia has filed a lawsuit against Euroclear in Moscow and is prepared to pursue legal action internationally.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed on December 18 that no resolution would be reached until the EU’s financing for Ukraine next year was settled. She also expressed support for Belgium’s demand for the allocation of financial risks linked to a potential “reparation loan” for Ukraine.
The European Commission approved such a loan proposal on December 3, which would involve the expropriation of sovereign Russian assets in Europe. However, on December 12, several EU member states—including Italy, Belgium, Bulgaria, and Malta—opposed transferring approximately €210 billion in frozen Russian assets to Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on November 27 that confiscating Russian assets within the EU would have negative consequences. On December 15, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov added that the situation with frozen assets demonstrates that “theft is in the blood of Europeans.”
