ENSU-RESU
Brussels
Call to action
Join us on 12 December at 10:00 in front of the European Council.
As Mr De Wever [Belgian PM] noted, Europe must work toward a just and lasting peace for Ukraine. Some say Belgium is “war-profiting” from frozen Russian assets — we hope it doesn’t. We believe Belgium can be a leader in bringing peace closer by unlocking the reparations-backed loan.
This mechanism is essential: Putin refuses real negotiations because he thinks he can outlast Western support. A predictable two-year financing package backed by frozen Russian assets destroys this strategy, strengthens Ukraine’s defence, and forces Russia to take peace seriously. Making the war more costly for the Kremlin accelerates the conditions for a real peace.
During the meeting of EU Finance Ministers, we call on Belgium to stop blocking this loan, which uses frozen Russian assets as collateral without costing EU taxpayers anything. By blocking it, Belgium weakens Europe’s collective security. Ukraine is Europe’s frontline — supporting Ukraine means protecting Europe.
Belgium holds the key to unlocking €140bn, yet refuses to use this leverage even as Russia escalates hybrid attacks on Belgian and European soil. Instead of strengthening Europe’s defence, Belgium inflates hypothetical risks. International law is clear: countermeasures against a state committing grave violations are lawful — Russia has no viable case.
What Belgium doesn’t address is the cost of inaction:
- What if EU support collapses?What if Ukraine falls? Who is next — and at what cost to Belgium?What is the rule of law if it’s not enforced against Russia?
Fearing the loss of €1.7bn in revenue and investments from authoritarian regimes, Belgium chooses short-term profit over European and thus Belgian security.
Belgium must stop protecting Russian money. Its hesitation costs Ukrainian lives and risks European security in the future. Belgium must choose to show leadership.