De Wever calls EU plan for recovery in letter “fundamentally wrong”
As is known, the European Commission wants to use the blocked Russian state assets, which are mainly stored at the securities house Euroclear in Brussels, for a recovery of about 140 billion euros. Belgium is particularly wary of that plan due to the legal and financial consequences, and in the letter, De Wever states that the Commission has not yet appropriately responded to those concerns.
The letter, which was sent on Thursday, came the day after Von der Leyen confirmed in the European Parliament that the Commission would soon come up with a legal text.
De Wever reiterates his concerns about the plan, “with which we would not only violate a fundamental principle of international law, but also create additional uncertainty in the international financial markets.”
And even though the EU is convinced that the use of the funds does not amount to illegal seizure, “others will see it differently and will act accordingly,” he says.
He also points out that the danger is “real” that the EU will have to repay the money. A common loan could also turn out to be cheaper when considering all the risks, he says.
Additionally, De Wever warns of Russian countermeasures and states that the use of the funds could jeopardize peace talks. He also believes that assets in other member states should be addressed.
The financing of Ukraine is back on the agenda of the heads of state and government during the EU summit on December 18. Belgium does not veto, according to De Wever, but can only agree if the concerns are addressed. The member states must guarantee the full amount and must also put that in writing.
(Brussels, November 28, 2025)
