{"id":2124700,"date":"2026-09-02T16:37:50","date_gmt":"2026-09-02T13:37:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2124700"},"modified":"2026-09-02T16:37:50","modified_gmt":"2026-09-02T13:37:50","slug":"belgium-pushes-back-against-new-attempt-to-use-russian-assets-to-support-ukraine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2124700","title":{"rendered":"Belgium pushes back against new attempt to use Russian assets to support Ukraine"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/90\/00\/1200x675_cmsv2_1119a9ac-36ed-5ca8-ba80-08b950e3c13a-9899000.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2922612-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2922612\" data-cid=\"9899080\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922612-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/90\/01\/189x106_cmsv2_a7a3fe68-35e7-5103-991f-c36c7259e110-9899001.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The Italian high-speed Frecciarossa train is at Kinding station in Germany during a test run, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026. (Daniel Karmann\/dpa via AP)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Travel News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Frecciarossa starts trials for new links to Munich from Milan and Rome\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921302-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2921302\" data-cid=\"9892852\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921302-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/28\/52\/189x106_cmsv2_c3f64f87-3658-5890-be36-0d1cf20b6719-9892852.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE: Sabah&apos;s Akim Zedadka drives the ball during the UEFA Champions League 3rd qualifying round 1st match against Aarhus GF, in Randers, 5 August 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Azerbaijan<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    How a quiz show and a dream took Azerbaijan to the Champions League\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922596-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2922596\" data-cid=\"9898900\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922596-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/89\/00\/189x106_cmsv2_e7d29df8-ebf0-5c14-8b49-87858a80f0c1-9898900.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Police vehicles at Leipzig\/Halle Airport, where investigations are underway following the drone incident in Schkeuditz, Germany, Thursday Aug. 6, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU states show &#8216;broad support&#8217; for Russian combatant visa ban, Kallas\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922597-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2922597\" data-cid=\"9898913\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922597-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/89\/13\/189x106_cmsv2_6d17bc72-d2e8-597f-8e37-63bd39800fc1-9898913.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"MEPs from PfE and EPP gathering in front of the European Parliament in Brussels\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EPP and Patriots for Europe rally against S\u00e1nchez over Ceuta crisis\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922612-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2922612\" data-cid=\"9899080\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922612-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/90\/01\/189x106_cmsv2_a7a3fe68-35e7-5103-991f-c36c7259e110-9899001.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The Italian high-speed Frecciarossa train is at Kinding station in Germany during a test run, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026. (Daniel Karmann\/dpa via AP)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Travel News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Frecciarossa starts trials for new links to Munich from Milan and Rome\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921302-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2921302\" data-cid=\"9892852\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921302-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/28\/52\/189x106_cmsv2_c3f64f87-3658-5890-be36-0d1cf20b6719-9892852.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE: Sabah&apos;s Akim Zedadka drives the ball during the UEFA Champions League 3rd qualifying round 1st match against Aarhus GF, in Randers, 5 August 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Azerbaijan<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    How a quiz show and a dream took Azerbaijan to the Champions League\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922596-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2922596\" data-cid=\"9898900\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922596-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/89\/00\/189x106_cmsv2_e7d29df8-ebf0-5c14-8b49-87858a80f0c1-9898900.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Police vehicles at Leipzig\/Halle Airport, where investigations are underway following the drone incident in Schkeuditz, Germany, Thursday Aug. 6, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU states show &#8216;broad support&#8217; for Russian combatant visa ban, Kallas\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922597-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2922597\" data-cid=\"9898913\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922597-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/89\/13\/189x106_cmsv2_6d17bc72-d2e8-597f-8e37-63bd39800fc1-9898913.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"MEPs from PfE and EPP gathering in front of the European Parliament in Brussels\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EPP and Patriots for Europe rally against S\u00e1nchez over Ceuta crisis\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Europe<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe News<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Belgium pushes back against new attempt to use Russian assets to support Ukraine<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-controller=\"video-player\" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/90\/00\/1536x864_cmsv2_1119a9ac-36ed-5ca8-ba80-08b950e3c13a-9899000.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Pr\u00e9vot.\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Pr\u00e9vot.<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">Marius Burgelman\/Copyright 2026 The AP. All rights reserved.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0Marius Burgelman\/Copyright 2026 The AP. All rights reserved.\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspJorge Liboreiro\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1788367070\">\n                    Published on                 <time datetime=\"2026-09-02 18:37:50 +02:00\">02\/09\/2026 &#8211; 18:37 GMT+2<\/time><span class=\"c-article-publication-date__bullet\">\u2022<\/span>Updated<br \/>\n                                     <time datetime=\"19:01\">19:01<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span 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loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        &#8216;The reasons behind our opposition have not magically disappeared&#8217;, Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Pr\u00e9vot said as a group of EU countries tries to revive the idea of using Russia&#8217;s immobilised assets.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>Belgium has forcefully pushed back against a new attempt to tap into the Russian Central Bank&#8217;s immobilised assets to provide additional support to Ukraine.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The European Union holds \u20ac210 billion in these assets, the bulk of which is kept at Euroclear, a depository in central Brussels.<\/p>\n<p>The hot-button topic was discussed at an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers on Tuesday, with Sweden, the Netherlands, Spain and Poland leading the push following <strong>their joint letter sent last week<\/strong>. The Baltic countries also voiced support.<\/p>\n<p>But according to Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Pr\u00e9vot, the debate &#8220;generated little enthusiasm or appetite among colleagues&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I made sure to reiterate Belgium&#8217;s position, which has remained unchanged for a year. The reasons behind our opposition have not magically disappeared in the meantime,&#8221; Pr\u00e9vot said in comments shared with Euronews at the end of talks in Ireland.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Using these assets through a process amounting to confiscation would entail very significant risks,&#8221; he added.<\/p>\n<p>Pr\u00e9vot&#8217;s remarks mirrored the arguments voiced by the Belgian government last year to oppose a European Commission proposal that sought to channel the \u20ac210 billion into a zero-interest credit line for Ukraine.<\/p>\n<p>Belgium demanded a full mutualisation of risks and uncapped guarantees to protect itself against Russia&#8217;s no-holds-barred retaliation. The country also raised the prospect of financial and reputational disaster for the entire eurozone.<\/p>\n<p>The audacious plan eventually <strong>fell apart<\/strong> at a contentious summit in December, when leaders opted instead for joint debt to finance a \u20ac90 billion loan. <\/p>\n<p>Around the same time, the Russian Central Bank sued Euroclear.<\/p>\n<p>Belgium continues to argue that the sovereign assets should be kept untouched until the peace negotiations to strengthen the bloc&#8217;s diplomatic leverage.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;There had previously been broad agreement that it was preferable to keep these amounts immobilised until Russia has compensated Ukraine for all the damage it has caused,&#8221; Pr\u00e9vot said on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<h2>Rising costs, rising doubts<\/h2>\n<p>The renewed debate on the assets comes amid growing doubts on whether the \u20ac90 billion loan would last until the end of 2027, as originally intended.<\/p>\n<p>In their joint letter, Sweden, the Netherlands, Spain and Poland warned the loan &#8220;will not be enough&#8221; due to Russia&#8217;s relentless escalation.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;While we should be proud of our achievements, we cannot afford to rest on our laurels,&#8221; they wrote. &#8220;As each day passes, the cost of the war is rising as Russia&#8217;s relentless attacks continue unabated.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Moscow has launched a new tactic of <strong>non-stop drone attacks<\/strong> aimed at disrupting Ukraine&#8217;s daily economic activity and sowing terror. At the same time, it has ramped up strikes on the Black Sea to prevent Ukraine from trading grain.<\/p>\n<p>With revenues falling and costs mounting, Kyiv <strong>has asked allies<\/strong> to plug a \u20ac23 billion gap in the Ministry of Defence to cover salaries and weapons purchases.<\/p>\n<p>As a solution, it has suggested the EU front-load a share of the \u20ac45 billion earmarked under the loan for next year, which would mean having less funds available in 2027.<\/p>\n<p>The European Commission has not formally received the request.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Public opinion is growing weary of this support, yet it remains more essential than ever. The security outlook for the European continent is bleak for the years ahead,&#8221; Pr\u00e9vot said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;International solidarity with Ukraine is therefore more necessary than ever.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The money crunch has emboldened proponents of using the Russian assets, who never abandoned the idea despite last year&#8217;s defeat. For them, the assets would equip the bloc with a massive financial firepower while sparing taxpayers and national budgets.<\/p>\n<p>Ukraine has also backed the initiative.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This is a fair approach to start a serious discussion on how we can use the immobilised assets,&#8221; Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p>Italy&#8217;s Antonio Tajani, whose country backed Belgium last year, said the outstanding legal objections needed to be properly addressed before moving forward.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re not opposed in principle, but we need to see whether there is a legal basis for doing so,&#8221; Tajani said.<\/p>\n<p>Officials in the Commission are closely following the trajectory of the discussions but remain hesitant to draft a new proposal without a guarantee of success. Capitals are already ensnared in <strong>fraught negotiations<\/strong> over the next EU budget.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Brussels says \u20ac90 billion loan for Ukraine is enough for now amid growing doubts<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Once again, the EU grapples with thorny questions about Russian assets<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Four EU countries renew push to use Russia&#8217;s \u20ac210bn assets to support Ukraine<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Russia<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Ukraine<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  European Union<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Belgium<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2922479-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2922479\" data-cid=\"9898387\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922479-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/83\/87\/320x180_cmsv2_6fb03c82-dc10-5a3e-825c-70acfbc68290-9898387.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen deliver press statement in Brussels, Belgium 2 September 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Europe must brace for new security &#8216;era&#8217;, von der Leyen says<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2922572-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2922572\" data-cid=\"9898725\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922572-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/87\/25\/320x180_cmsv2_214c706e-6f5b-58bc-8500-13eedc2d66c6-9898725.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE - Aeroflot&apos;s passengers planes are parked at Sheremetyevo airport, outside Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, March 1, 2022\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ukraine formally warns airlines that Russian airspace is unsafe<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2922552-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2922552\" data-cid=\"9898630\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922552-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/86\/30\/320x180_cmsv2_d64dbf35-a4c3-5571-a655-403afea1acd9-9898630.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"250 gram gold bars of 999.9 purity stacked in the safe deposit boxes room in Munich, 25 April, 2025\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Netherlands moves 86 tonnes of gold from US and Canada to UK<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2922415-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2922415\" data-cid=\"9898139\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922415-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/81\/39\/320x180_cmsv2_abcc916a-4546-5f52-b1e0-5165070d2cca-9898139.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Grande-Marlaska during a meeMigrants try to cross from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, 30 July, 2026ting in Brussels.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Spanish police chief says no report blames Morocco for Ceuta crossings<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2922477-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2922477\" data-cid=\"9898437\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922477-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/83\/73\/320x180_cmsv2_cecbd7ad-1e36-5219-a393-fd49d8a5d571-9898373.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"US dollar\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iranian rial in freefall as dollar breaks 2.1 million mark<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-2\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-most-viewed\">\n<h2 class=\"c-most-viewed__title qa-section-title\">Most read<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__list\">\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">1<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2921916-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video 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u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922479-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2922479\" data-cid=\"9898387\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922479-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/83\/87\/320x180_cmsv2_6fb03c82-dc10-5a3e-825c-70acfbc68290-9898387.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen deliver press statement in Brussels, Belgium 2 September 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Europe must brace for new security &#8216;era&#8217;, von der Leyen says<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922572-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2922572\" data-cid=\"9898725\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922572-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/87\/25\/320x180_cmsv2_214c706e-6f5b-58bc-8500-13eedc2d66c6-9898725.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE - Aeroflot&apos;s passengers planes are parked at Sheremetyevo airport, outside Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, March 1, 2022\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ukraine formally warns airlines that Russian airspace is unsafe<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922552-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2922552\" data-cid=\"9898630\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922552-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/86\/30\/320x180_cmsv2_d64dbf35-a4c3-5571-a655-403afea1acd9-9898630.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"250 gram gold bars of 999.9 purity stacked in the safe deposit boxes room in Munich, 25 April, 2025\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    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Ryanair&#8217;s Boeing 737 stairs tied to hundreds of passenger falls, study says<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922364-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2922364\" data-cid=\"9897774\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Zelenskyy warns \u2018Russian airspace will effectively be closing\u2019<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922152-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2922152\" data-cid=\"9896747\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    As war fears grow, Sweden plans burials for part of its population<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">Belgium has forcefully pushed back against a new attempt to tap into the Russian Central Bank&#8217;s immobilised assets to provide additional support to Ukraine.The European Union holds \u20ac210 billion in these assets, the bulk of which is kept at Euroclear, a depository in central Brussels.The hot-button topic was discussed at an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers on Tuesday, with Sweden, the Netherlands, Spain and Poland leading the push following their joint letter sent last week. The Baltic countries also voiced support.But according to Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Pr\u00e9vot, the debate &#8220;generated little enthusiasm or appetite among colleagues&#8221;.&#8221;I made sure to reiterate Belgium&#8217;s position, which has remained unchanged for a year. The reasons behind our opposition have not magically disappeared in the meantime,&#8221; Pr\u00e9vot said in comments shared with Euronews at the end of talks in Ireland.&#8221;Using these assets through a process amounting to confiscation would entail very significant risks,&#8221; he added.Pr\u00e9vot&#8217;s remarks mirrored the arguments voiced by the Belgian government last year to oppose a European Commission proposal that sought to channel the \u20ac210 billion into a zero-interest credit line for Ukraine.Belgium demanded a full mutualisation of risks and uncapped guarantees to protect itself against Russia&#8217;s no-holds-barred retaliation. The country also raised the prospect of financial and reputational disaster for the entire eurozone.The audacious plan eventually fell apart at a contentious summit in December, when leaders opted instead for joint debt to finance a \u20ac90 billion loan.Around the same time, the Russian Central Bank sued Euroclear.Belgium continues to argue that the sovereign assets should be kept untouched until the peace negotiations to strengthen the bloc&#8217;s diplomatic leverage.&#8221;There had previously been broad agreement that it was preferable to keep these amounts immobilised until Russia has compensated Ukraine for all the damage it has caused,&#8221; Pr\u00e9vot said on Tuesday.Rising costs, rising doubtsThe renewed debate on the assets comes amid growing doubts on whether the \u20ac90 billion loan would last until the end of 2027, as originally intended.In their joint letter, Sweden, the Netherlands, Spain and Poland warned the loan &#8220;will not be enough&#8221; due to Russia&#8217;s relentless escalation.&#8221;While we should be proud of our achievements, we cannot afford to rest on our laurels,&#8221; they wrote. &#8220;As each day passes, the cost of the war is rising as Russia&#8217;s relentless attacks continue unabated.&#8221;Moscow has launched a new tactic of non-stop drone attacks aimed at disrupting Ukraine&#8217;s daily economic activity and sowing terror. At the same time, it has ramped up strikes on the Black Sea to prevent Ukraine from trading grain.With revenues falling and costs mounting, Kyiv has asked allies to plug a \u20ac23 billion gap in the Ministry of Defence to cover salaries and weapons purchases.As a solution, it has suggested the EU front-load a share of the \u20ac45 billion earmarked under the loan for next year, which would mean having less funds available in 2027.The European Commission has not formally received the request.&#8221;Public opinion is growing weary of this support, yet it remains more essential than ever. The security outlook for the European continent is bleak for the years ahead,&#8221; Pr\u00e9vot said.&#8221;International solidarity with Ukraine is therefore more necessary than ever.&#8221;The money crunch has emboldened proponents of using the Russian assets, who never abandoned the idea despite last year&#8217;s defeat. For them, the assets would equip the bloc with a massive financial firepower while sparing taxpayers and national budgets.Ukraine has also backed the initiative.&#8221;This is a fair approach to start a serious discussion on how we can use the immobilised assets,&#8221; Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on Tuesday.Italy&#8217;s Antonio Tajani, whose country backed Belgium last year, said the outstanding legal objections needed to be properly addressed before moving forward.&#8221;We&#8217;re not opposed in principle, but we need to see whether there is a legal basis for doing so,&#8221; Tajani said.Officials in the Commission are closely following the trajectory of the discussions but remain hesitant to draft a new proposal without a guarantee of success. Capitals are already ensnared in fraught negotiations over the next EU budget.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;http:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2026\/09\/02\/belgium-pushes-back-against-new-attempt-to-use-russian-assets-to-support-ukraine&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/90\/00\/1200x675_cmsv2_1119a9ac-36ed-5ca8-ba80-08b950e3c13a-9899000.jpg&#8221;] Travel News Frecciarossa starts trials for new links to Munich from Milan and Rome Azerbaijan How a quiz show and a dream took Azerbaijan to the Champions League Europe News EU states show &#8216;broad support&#8217; for Russian combatant visa ban, Kallas Europe News EPP and Patriots for Europe rally against S\u00e1nchez over [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-2124700","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2124700","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2124700"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2124700\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2124700"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2124700"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2124700"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}