In Sweden, they announced the search for guarantees for Belgium in the case of consequences for the assets of the Russian Federation

The European Union (EU) is discussing safeguards for Belgium in the event of economic and legal consequences following the possible use of Russian frozen assets. This was announced on November 26 by Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Steenergaard at the end of an online meeting of EU foreign ministers.

"It is very difficult for me to imagine that we will make a decision in the European Council without the participation of Belgium. But to achieve this, it is important that Belgium feels confident with this decision," Steenergaard said at a press conference. The broadcast was carried out on the website of the Office of the Swedish Government.

The Minister added that the foreign ministers discussed various forms of bilateral guarantees from a large number of member states that would be required in the event of economic and legal consequences.

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The head of the European Commission (EC) announced earlier on Wednesday that she would soon submit proposals for the withdrawal of frozen assets of the Russian Federation. According to her, the commission has submitted a document with options for action. The next step is the EC's willingness to submit a legal text, she said.

On November 25, Belgian Minister of Defense and Foreign Trade Theo Franken announced that Belgium had convinced Italy of the risks of expropriating frozen assets of Russia. He noted that Belgium would not seize the assets of the Russian Federation and transfer them to Ukraine without European guarantees against lawsuits and demands for a refund.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned on November 23 that the EU would expect a "painful response" in case of any actions to confiscate Russian assets.

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