Belgian Prime Minister warns of consequences of confiscation of Russian assets

The confiscation of Russian sovereign assets is not an easy matter, and it would have systemic consequences. This was announced on August 26 by Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever.

"I know that there are governments that believe they can confiscate these funds, but I would like to warn against this. <...> It is not easy from a legal point of view. This will have systemic consequences and is dangerous from a legal point of view," he said during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, broadcast on the YouTube channel of ARD and ZDF television and radio companies.

According to De Wever, the assets of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation are "legally inviolable." He added that before the start of negotiations on the settlement of Ukraine, it is necessary to "keep the situation as it is today."

On March 20, the final document of the European Union (EU) summit, which was signed by 26 of the 27 member states of the community, stated that the European Union would continue to hold frozen assets of Russia. It was noted that Russia's assets should remain immobilized until the conflict in Ukraine ends and Moscow compensates for the damage caused to it.

August 13, Deputy Director of the Department of Information and Press (DIP) Russian Foreign Minister Alexei Fadeev said that Russia has the right to take countermeasures in connection with the use of the country's assets by the European Union to support Ukraine. According to him, attempts by Brussels to use Russian assets in the interests of Kiev will not help the Ukrainian side and will not have an impact on changing the course of the special military operation.

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