---
title: "De Wever: European Commission Will Not Propose New Operations with Russian Frozen Assets — Brussels Confirms Belgium's Stance"
description: "Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever stated in parliament that the European Commission will not propose new operations with frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine, a stance confirmed in Brussels."
date: 2026-10-22T02:39:59.269Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/de-wever-ec-will-not-propose-new-operations-russian-assets
tags: [belgium, european-union, russian-assets, euroclear, ukraine, frozen-assets, bart-de-wever]
author: "Alexander Buran"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# De Wever: European Commission Will Not Propose New Operations with Russian Frozen Assets — Brussels Confirms Belgium's Stance

![Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever in front of Belgian and EU flags during a speech](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/22/de-wever-ek-ne-predlozhit-novyh-operatsiy-s-aktivami-rf/de-wever-ek-ne-predlozhit-novyh-operatsiy-s-aktivami-rf-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever stated that the European Commission will not propose new operations with frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine
- Around 185 billion euros are frozen in the Belgian depository Euroclear; last year the EU agreed on a 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine
- President Zelenskyy asked for an additional 70 billion euros for next year at the EU summit
- De Wever reacted critically to Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten's desire to "take this money" and warned of legal consequences
- Four EU member states urged Brussels to find a way to bypass the Belgian veto; PACE suggested using ECHR rulings

Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever, presenting a report to MPs on the past week's EU summit, stated that the European Commission has no intention of putting forward new initiatives to use frozen Russian assets to cover Ukraine's financial needs. "I am confident of this because that is precisely what was said," emphasized the head of the Belgian government, as quoted by The Brussels Times following his speech in parliament. In his assessment, Brussels has finally closed the door on new steps regarding funds held in the Belgian depository Euroclear.

### 185 Billion Euros Under Lock and the Ukrainian Budget Deficit

At issue are approximately 185 billion euros frozen in the infrastructure of Euroclear, Europe's largest clearing house registered in Belgium. Last year, EU leaders agreed on a 90 billion euro loan for Kyiv for the current and subsequent years; however, estimates suggest this amount is not enough to cover all needs. At last week's summit, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked European partners to allocate another 70 billion euros for the next year. It is this deficit that makes the topic of frozen assets particularly sensitive: for Ukraine, it is a potential source of funding, while for Belgium, it is a matter of sovereignty over the financial infrastructure located on its territory.

### "Went Through with a Flamethrower": Reaction to Dutch PM's Statements

De Wever did not rule out that individual EU countries might bring up the asset issue again outside the formal agenda of the European Commission. Specifically, he criticized statements by Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, who expressed a desire to "take this money" during a radio broadcast. According to the Belgian prime minister, some new European leaders who did not participate in last year's discussion are repeating arguments that were rejected at the time. De Wever warned colleagues that even public statements of this kind could have legal consequences for the country where the funds are held. "A colleague told me in the corridor that it was as if I had gone through this discussion with a flamethrower," he recounted, adding that there is now little enthusiasm around the negotiation table to pursue the topic.

### The American Option and Ukrainian Diplomacy

The topic of Russian assets remains prominent on the international agenda. According to the Financial Times, Washington proposed that European partners unfreeze a portion of the funds and transfer them under American control to revive peace talks. European delegates rejected this proposal. At the same time, the Ukrainian side is stepping up diplomatic pressure: Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha publicly proposed funding Ukraine's defense and infrastructure reconstruction precisely from the assets frozen in Euroclear. Due to a shortage of funds in the state budget, Ukrainian diplomats have intensified negotiations with EU institutions.

### The Belgian Vetoe and Attempts to Bypass It

Belgium's position remains the most categorical. Even before the prime minister's speech, Defense Minister Theo Francken described the country's stance as "categorically negative" regarding the use of assets. Nevertheless, an alternative approach is forming within the EU: four member states have urged Brussels to look for a mechanism allowing them to bypass the Belgian veto. Proposals have been voiced in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) to transfer funds to Ukraine based on rulings by the European Court of Human Rights. Thus, although a formal European Commission initiative is ruled out, according to de Wever, political pressure on Belgium from several European capitals persists.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Премьер Бельгии уверен, что ЕС не вернется к идее отдать Украине активы РФ](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/prem-er-belgiyi-vpevneniy-shcho-es-povernetsya-1792635070.html) - Primary source: de Wever's speech in parliament, figures of 185 billion, 90 billion, 70 billion, quote about the flamethrower, mention of Jetten, FT regarding the US, Sybiha's position, PACE, four member states.
- [Премьер Бельгии заявил, что «прошелся огнеметом» в споре о активах России](https://www.rbc.ru/politics/21/10/2026/6ad8c4c7acd127579b70572a) - Confirms key points: confidence in the absence of new EC proposals, admissibility of returning to the topic at the initiative of individual countries, warning of legal consequences.
- [Премьер-министр Бельгии уверен, что ЕС не вернется к идее передачи Украине замороженных ...](https://nv.ua/world/geopolitics/zamorozhennye-rossiyskie-aktivy-evrokomissiya-ne-budet-vydvigat-novyh-predlozheniy-50652243.html) - Confirms de Wever's position and the context of asset storage in Euroclear.

## FAQ

### How many Russian assets are frozen in Belgium?

According to data cited by Prime Minister de Wever in parliament, approximately 185 billion euros are held in the Belgian depository Euroclear.

### Will the European Commission propose using these assets to help Ukraine?

According to the Belgian prime minister, no: de Wever stated that the European Commission will not put forward new initiatives on Russian assets and emphasized that this was explicitly stated at the EU summit.

### What is Ukraine's position on frozen assets?

Ukraine insists that the funds be directed towards its needs. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha publicly proposed financing defense and reconstruction from Russian assets. At the summit, Zelenskyy asked for an additional 70 billion euros for next year.

### Are there attempts to bypass the Belgian veto?

Yes. Four EU member states urged Brussels to find a way to bypass the Belgian veto. PACE suggested transferring money to Ukraine based on ECHR rulings. The US, according to the FT, proposed unfreezing part of the assets under US control, but European delegates refused.