"The acquisition of Russian assets would put an end to peace efforts in Ukraine – key EU country Belgium has intensified opposition to the usage of frozen funds for a debt strategy to fund Ukraine"

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Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever. © Getty Images / Nicolas Economou / NurPhoto

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever warned that the EU's plan to support a debt of EUR 140 billion to Ukraine with Russian state assets frozen threatens to undermine the prospects of peace and exposure his country to immense legal threats.

In ‘a powerfully formulated list’ sent on Thursday to the president of the European Commission, Ursuli von der Leyen, quoted by Politico, De Wever warned that the program – which would usage the blocked funds collected in Brussels Euroclear as collateral ‘repair loan’ – would deprive Belgium of a tender tool in a possible settlement with Moscow."The accelerated continuation of the proposed reparation debt programme would, as an additional injury, be that we as the EU are effectively preventing a final peace agreement from being reached" – he wrote.De Wever added that if Russia later challenges this decision, Belgium may be charged with reimbursement claims.

"In a very likely case, if Russia was not officially a losing party, it would be... legitimately request the return of its State assets’ — In his letter, he argued that the plan could besides make confusion on the EU financial markets.Meanwhile, according to Politico, respective EU countries have accused Belgium of mismanagement of taxation revenues from frozen Russian assets, claiming that Brussels is not full accounted for by unexpected revenues collected from Euroclear.

Diplomats informed the portal that they suspected that the money had been included in Belgium's budget, despite earlier promises to transparently transfer them to Ukraine."In the light of these constant delays, 1 can wonder if it is truly understood that Europe's safety is at stake here" said the paper a high-ranking EU diplomat.

Belgian officials rejected the criticism, claiming that the proceeds were wholly going to Ukraine.Russia has repeatedly condemned western measures to frost her funds, calling them "stealing".

President Vladimir Putin warned that plans to usage these funds to support Ukraine would undermine the credibility of the West.

He added that Moscow is preparing retaliatory measures if specified plans are implemented.

Translated by Google Translator

source:https://www.rt.com/news/628604-seizing-Russian-assets-derail-Ukraine-peace/

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