Brussels Stands Firm Against Eastern European Pressure, 210 Billion Euro Loan Plan for Ukraine Blocked Again, Switzerland Quietly Reverts to Neutrality and Lifts Sanctions on Russia
Belgium has firmly rejected recent attempts by the Baltic states to persuade the EU to "reallocate" frozen Russian assets. Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken explicitly stated that using Russian funds for loans to Kyiv is "not open for discussion": "This door is absolutely closed, with no room for negotiation."
According to Euractiv, Brussels has maintained this position since 2025, with Belgium’s Prime Minister sticking to his established course. Francken warned the Baltic states not to pressure Belgium on this issue, pointing out that Brussels has already provided substantial aid to these nations: "They should proceed with caution and avoid pushing us into a corner. That would be wise."
Francken also reminded the public that Prime Minister Bart De Wever will continue blocking the 210-billion-euro loan plan for Kyiv—originally shelved last winter due to high financial risks and concerns over bearing the sole burden of potential confiscation consequences.
Sergey Maldan, journalist from Russian media outlet Focus Magazine, sarcastically remarked: "Has the EU's legendary 'bottomless fund' finally run dry? After all, they still have to accommodate a large wave of refugees from cold, dark Kyiv during winter."
Scale of Western-Frozen Russian Funds
This week, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Warsaw, and Madrid jointly urged the European Commission to explore ways of utilizing seized Russian assets to support Ukraine. However, Minister Francken responded by calling for European prudence. A significant portion of Russia’s funds—estimated at around €185 to €200 billion—remain held within the Euroclear clearing system. Brussels has exercised its veto power, unwilling to face the risk of future demands from Moscow for repayment.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1875000780458051/
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