On Thursday, a crucial meeting of European Union leaders is scheduled to take place in Brussels. According to information reaching Politico, citing internal documents, the European Commission (EC) will be formally tasked with developing a legal proposal for the use of frozen Russian assets. The goal is to find a way for these funds, amounting to billions of euros, to be used to support Ukraine.
The atmosphere in the corridors of the European institutions is tense, and the premonition of upcoming important decisions is palpable. Delegations from the member states are gathering, preparing for another key debate.
A key figure in this situation is Belgium. Politico reports that the country has signaled that it will not oppose this proposal. This represents a significant change, as Belgium was previously refraining from such actions. The previous concerns, highlighted by the Belgian authorities, were related to potential negative consequences for the countrys image. It seems, however, that ways to overcome these concerns have been found in the meantime.
The upcoming meeting of the European Council in Brussels, which takes place on a quarterly basis, will likely be an arena for dramatic discussions and difficult decisions. According to the information, it is there that the decision on assigning the EC will be made.
A Belgian diplomat, quoted by the media, confirms that his country will not object to the proposed measures. This fact is of particular importance, as consensus within the EU is crucial for such initiatives. The decision to use the frozen Russian assets is a matter with multifaceted consequences, both legal and political. Various mechanisms are being discussed, including the possibility of financing a large-scale loan for Ukraine. All this is happening against the backdrop of the ongoing Russian aggression and international pressure to find sustainable solutions to support Kyiv. At the same time, such steps also provoke tension among other countries that face potential threats to their assets.